Pho as the embodiment of Vietnamese national identity in the linguistic landscape of a western Canadian city
Abstract
This article examines the relationship between Pho, a type of Vietnamese soup, and Vietnamese national identity in the linguistic landscape of Edmonton, Alberta (Canada). The study suggests that Pho has not only been used by Vietnamese restaurants in Edmonton for indexical function (pointing to the specialty of a restaurant) but also for symbolic evocation associating with Vietnamese cuisine and national identity. The data comes from three Vietnamese restaurants in Edmonton. The results indicate that Pho is a very prominent word in the linguistic landscape of three restaurants. Furthermore, the symbolic relationship between Pho and Vietnamese identity is evident in the way it is used to address the feelings of nostalgia among migrant patrons.
Notes
Open-access – Yes
http://viet-studies.net/kinhte/PhoInCanada_April19.pdf
Location
Edmonton, Alberta
Key recommendations
NA
Key populations
Vietnamese restaurants
Key findings
Vietnamese restaurant owners use both English and Vietnamese languages in their websites, menus, and shop signs. The author argues that the use Vietnamese language as well as the popular Vietnamese dish, Pho, plays an important role in allowing the restaurant owners and the larger Vietnamese community to express their Vietnamese national identity in Canada. The use of English language, in the meantime, is strategic and puts them in an advantaged position to attract the broader English-speaking community
Gaps identified
NA
Community organizations
NA
Integration timeline
At what point during the integration process the study was conducted?
NA