Why language matters

doi:10.1075/ll.25021.lyk

Why language matters

2026-02-01

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Helle Lykke Nielsen *

DOI：10.1075/ll.25021.lyk

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This study examines whether purpose-built mosques in Oslo, Stockholm, and Copenhagen are embedded within their local contexts or whether they rather display ties to transnational Islamic networks. To address this question, we draw on an exploratory theoretical framework that integrates territorialization theory, the field of semiotic landscapes, and critical toponymy and conceptualizes mosques as assemblages. The study demonstrates that analyzing toponyms, language use and language choices (both offline and online), religious transparency, and the presence and visibility of women in the semiotic landscape in addition to mosque architecture and visibility offers valuable insight into territorialization processes. Our aim is to evaluate the applicability of the proposed model, to deepen our understanding of purpose-built mosques in Scandinavia, and ultimately to provide a more comprehensive perspective on the role of language in territorialization processes. Dette studie unders & oslash;ger, om stormoskeer i Oslo, Stockholm og K & oslash;benhavn prim ae rt er forankret i deres lokale kontekst, eller om de i h & oslash;jere grad er indlejret i transnationale islamiske netv ae rk. For at belyse dette sp & oslash;rgsm & aring;l anvender vi en eksplorativ teoretisk ramme, der kombinerer territorialiseringsteori, analyser af moskeernes semiotiske landskaber og kritisk toponymi samt definerer moskeer som assemblages. Studiet viser, at analyser af moskeernes navnevalg, sprogbrug og sprogvalg (b & aring;de offline og online), samt brugen af religi & oslash;s transparens, kvinders tilstedev ae relse og synlighed i det semiotiske landskab, i kombination med arkitektur og synlighed, giver v ae rdifuld indsigt i moskeernes territorialiseringsprocesser. Form & aring;let med studiet er dels at vurdere den foresl & aring;ede models analytiske anvendelighed, dels at uddybe forst & aring;elsen af stormoskeer i Skandinavien og dermed bidrage til et mere nuanceret perspektiv p & aring; sprogets rolle i territorialiseringsprocesser.

Keywords:

Mosques

diaspora

territoriality

semiotic landscape

critical toponymy

Scandinavia

Why language matters

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