Authenticity-making of foreignness in the Singaporean foodscape: a linguistic landscape study

• Main Author: Kwok, Mun Yee
• Other Authors: Tan Ying Ying
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Arts and Humanities; Linguistic Landscape; Authenticity-making; Foreignness; Singaporean foodscape
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/174251
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Foreignness in Singapore has evolved into a multifaceted concept, shaped by its roots as a migrant nation and later as an active player in the globalising world. This paper seeks to explore the varied and complex manifestations of foreignness and its impact on the construction of authenticity within the Singaporean foodscape. Specifically focusing on localised settings such as a hawker centre and a popular street known for housing international cuisine restaurants, this study employs a linguistic landscape approach to investigate the use and representation of foreign languages and codes on the exteriors and menus of these food establishments, revealing the interplay and localisation of the social concepts of foreignness and authenticity unique to the Singaporean context.