Introduction
The Lower East Side is a widely known historical part of Manhattan. Starting in the late 1800’s the Lower East Side started to introduce the immigration of multi-diversified groups of people. With this movement of people came the significance of cultures and languages that influenced dominant English signage for tourists and the locals. Most signs that are of different languages, are usually translated in English. I chose this area of Manhattan because I am very familiar with it. I believe that this landmark has one of the most important historical values in New York City, containing a mixture of vibrant attractions, businesses, and cultures all in one borough. Which makes it a hub for a linguistics analysis.
China Town
This image of Tak Yick Food in China Town is a family owned restaurant on canal street. They serve traditional Asian foods, and display their name in Chinese and English. Chinese signs typically contain some type of red coloring, here they utilize a red font on a white background. Red is believed to bring good luck, and is considered culturally significant. The sign shows cultural diversity, while using simplified old-school signage choices.
Little Italy
Jose Luis is a restaurant in Little Italy on Mulberry street and Canal. On their signs and menus they use majority English. On this outdoor menu shown, it is only English. They make the decision to use this language, because of the demographic of languages in the area, and the tourist that come to eat here. The use of English tends to appeal to a more trendy audience, because of English accessibility on platforms. Which helps build their online presence and attracting new customers.
China Town
This pharmacy on Madison and Broadway is multi-lingual. There are three languages, English, Chinese, and Spanish. This neighborhood in the Lower East Side district is very diverse. I live in this neighborhood and there are a lot of Hispanic and Asian people. This is the reason why this small company chooses to use multiple languages in their store front sign, they know the demographics, and they know that they have to cater to the people that live around them.
Great N.Y.Noodletown is a very popular Chinese spot. In their sign they use the typical red Chinese wording, followed by the translation in English. I’ve been to Noodle town a few times, and every time I went I noticed there were always a lot of tourists. I’m sure that the sign and its name more than definitely is the reason why it attracts so many people that are visiting New York. Even the locals.
This dumpling spot in China Town Lower East Side is known for its notoriously cheap, and tasty dumplings. Almost all the small businesses that want to attract tourists will utilize English in their signs. They never use any other language since English is considered international to an extent. A lot of the locals know that this place isn’t amazing, but for 5 dollars you can get 10 friend dumplings. Unless your a tourist or don’t look like a local, they will try to charge you extra at first.
The China Town Ice Cream Factory is a very popular place among social media. A tourist coming to china Town for the first time, this sign would appeal to their linguistics perfectly. They recognize what the sign says, its straight forward, in appealing color and bats an eye. A line always stretches out the front of the store, a mixture of locals and people visiting New York/ China Town
Ristorante Italiano is a restaurant in Little Italy on Mulberry street. This store is known for its great seafood and is commonly visited by New York City tourists. In this sign they make their name very readable, even though its in another language. It makes it easy for people walking by to interpret that its Italian. The name translates to Italian Restaurant, which is very basic but grabs their target audience.
