Nanning Linguistic Landscape Dataset: Translanguaging in Urban Tourism

This study investigates the translanguaging strategies employed in the linguistic landscape(LL) of tourist attractions in Nanning, China. Drawing on a dataset of 889 signs collected from five major scenic sites, the study examines how multilingual, multimodal, and multisemiotic resources are deployed to convey information, represent local culture, and construct the city’s image. Each sign was cataloged in an Excel spreadsheet and coded for language type, sequencing, dominant code, and translanguaging strategies, with both quantitative and qualitative content analyses applied. The findings indicate that translanguaging is highly prevalent, with multilingual resources, such as translation, hybrid words, and transliteration, being most common, complemented by multimodal resources (e.g., text–image combinations, motion visuals, QR codes) and multisemiotic elements (e.g., ethnic motifs and cultural symbols). The study also reveals that these strategies are influenced by sociolinguistic hierarchies, policy frameworks, and the composition of tourist audiences, reflecting both functional communication needs and symbolic representation of local identity. Overall, this research highlights the complex interplay of language, semiotics, and social context in shaping the LL of urban tourism, offering insights into how cities use translanguaging to manage impressions and convey cultural identity.