The linguistic landscape of Jackson Heights underscores its vibrant immigrant identity and highlights the practical and cultural role of language in creating a welcoming environment for newcomers. The linguistic landscape of Jackson Heights exhibits a Spanish dominance and an English minority. Much of the linguistic landscape incorporates Spanish, which is evident in multiple flyers, advertisements, and pictures in the area. The United States is known for the American dream; The belief that regardless of a person’s background or social status they can be able to attain their own respective success with the right amount of hard work. This has led New York City to become a hot spot for immigration, as it offers a variety of different opportunities. Consequently, there is always a demand for housing in Jackson Heights as it adheres to the immigrants coming to America. It is reflected in the various flyers that offer information to rent apartments in the area. Conventionally, when a flier is advertising something there is a phone number connecting the potential buyer with the owner, and many of these phone numbers are ripped out (Fig. X.) Tearing off a phone number signifies interest and reflects the urgency with which many immigrants seek opportunities to establish their lives in the United States. The linguistic landscape of Jackson Heights further adheres to the Hispanic population as many essential services are displayed in Spanish, easing communication for immigrants who have yet to learn English. A Chase Bank (Fig. X) features signs in both English and Spanish, demonstrating an awareness of the linguistic needs of its clients, who would otherwise be unable to perform without the translated Spanish. The Q47, a bus with its route embedded in Jackson Heights has an advertisement for a car accident law business that is completely in Spanish, showing a preference for the Hispanic community. Though the advertisement should adhere to a larger audience, the owners notice the dense Hispanic population and focus on them completely rather than other ethnic groups in the area. Many immigrants who migrate to America often face challenges in accessing the resources needed to learn English. Jackson Heights is a perfect immigration destiny as it destroys the language barrier that would otherwise appear in other parts of New York City. An annual census has been conducted that Immigrants represented 60 percent of the area’s population in 2017, much higher than the citywide and national shares. This welcoming environment allows immigrants to engage with their community and access essential services, providing them with opportunities to build a better life. Overall easing the transition for immigrants, many of whom face challenges in learning English while navigating the complexities of life in a new country.
Spanish Dominance
