The Linguistic Landscape of Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania: Its Implication for Access to Information

Abstract

The paper examines the nature of linguistic public signs that constitute  what is popularly known as Linguistic Landscape (LL) at Muhimbili  National Hospital (MNH) in Tanzania to explain their implication for  access to information in the hospital. The study employed the sociolinguistic  theoretical framework to examine the nature of the LL of  MNH and its implication for access to information as presented through  public signs at the hospital. Data for this study constituted  photos/public signs from the hospital premises and interview narratives  from hospital clients and staff. The data were analysed both  quantitatively and qualitatively. Findings show that the LL of MNH ismore controlled by top-down than bottom-up actors in which there are  three visible languages: English, Swahili, and Chinese. The most  preferred language patterns do not guarantee access to information to  hospital clients in the public space of the hospital, since some clients  fail to understand what is communicated through the signboards placed  in the public space of the hospital. They use unfamiliar language  pattern(s), mostly in English. This lowers further their participation in  promoting health and taking responsibilities of their health concernswhile at the hospital.Key words: linguistic landscape, Muhimbili, public space, sign