The Twin Lakes Zone located in Regina, Sask.
Section 1
What Borders This Zone?
For my chosen zone, it is located in the North end of Regina, Saskatchewan. The neighbourhood is called Twin Lakes. I have outlined the zone using red to ensure that the borders are visible. The streets bordering my chosen zone are train tracks to the West, Rochdale Blvd to the South, McCarthy Blvd to the East, and the North is a walkway with some small hills.
Why I Chose this Zone to Research
I decided to choose this area as my zone because I have lived in Twin Lakes since I was four years old. Over the years, I have become familiar with the area’s demographics and wanted to further my knowledge. Additionally, I have never deeply analyzed linguistics in the zone that I have grown up in. Personally, I feel that this is something that should be essential to do so I can have a deeper understanding of what makes up my zone.
The History of Twin Lakes Community
According to my research, this area began building homes in 1981 until about the 2000s (Next Home, n.d.). Before this area began construction on homes, there was just a grassy field with no development or humans in the area (Next Home, n.d.). However, the businesses in this area began to be built to an extent before houses were built because one of the neighbouring zones on the other side of Rochdale Blvd is quite a bit older.
Who Lives Here?
According to the 2016 Canadian census, this zone has a population of 7,035 individuals (City of Regina, 2019, p. 2). Since 2011, this population has increased by about 20%. The majority age group living in this zone is located in the 18 to 64 range (City of Regina, 2019, p. 5). The average age of a female tends to be around 37 years old whereas the average age of a male in the zone tends to be roughly 35 years old (City of Regina, 2019, p. 2). Altogether, the average age in this zone between the genders is around 36 years. While researching this zone, it came to my attention that there is not a large gap between the genders. In short, the number of females compared to males living in the Twin Lakes zone is quite equal.
There seems to be quite a large gap when diversity comes into consideration. As I researched the 2016 census, it came to my attention that the majority of the population is considered to be part of the norm in Regina, which is known as non-immigrants. Around 6,490 individuals in this zone are considered to be within the non-immigrant group whereas there are reportedly 565 immigrants living in this zone (City of Regina, 2019, p. 6). Also, the number of non-permanent residents is even lower, at 55 individuals (City of Regina, 2019, p. 6). Given these statistics, it is clear that the Twin Lakes zone is dominated by the non-immigrant group. However, there is also a large gap between immigrants from different countries. There are about 360 immigrants from Asia whereas the next highest number of immigrants are Europeans at roughly 120 (City of Regina, 2019, p. 6). Some of the other common immigrants in this zone are from America, Africa, and Oceania. Among the non-immigrants group, there are around 405 individuals that have an Aboriginal identity with the majority Metis and about 110 First Nations individuals (City of Regina, 2019, p. 6).
The average after-tax household income in the Twin Lakes zone is quite high when compared to other zones in the city of Regina. In Twin Lakes, the average income is $100,400 per household (City of Regina, 2019, p. 5). Therefore, it is quite common that many of the individuals living in this zone have jobs that are paying a decent amount. Additionally, there are about 3,955 individuals that are employed in some way whether it be working from home or working in a business (City of Regina, 2019, p. 4). Around 1,425 individuals are not currently in the labour force due to age, health conditions, or a disability (City of Regina, 2019, p. 4). Lastly, the other 175 individuals claim to be unemployed (City of Regina, 2019, p. 4). Based on these statistics, it is visible that the majority of individuals living in this zone have a good-paying job to support the cost of living here.
References
City of Regina. (2019). Twin Lakes Neighbourhood Profiles [PDF]. https://www.regina.ca/export/sites/Regina.ca/about-regina/neighbourhood-profiles/.galleries/pdfs/twin-lakes.pdf.
Next Home. (n.d.). Twin Lakes. https://nexthome.ca/neighbourhoods/twin-lakes/28608/.
Section 2
Within section 2 of the assignment, there will be a total of nine images shown. For the images, I decided to explore the area of my zone that had the most businesses. In this scenario, Rochdale Blvd had the most businesses to investigate. There were also quite a few different types of images that were taken.
| Sign Category | Number of Signs/Places |
| Political Signs | 1 |
| City Posted Signs | 1 |
| Restaurants/Fast Food | 3 |
| Park Signs | 1 |
| Street Signs | 1 |
| Business Advertising | 2 |
| Language | Number of Signs/Places |
| English | 9 |
| French | 0 |
| Chinese | 0 |
| Other | 0 |
| Culture Portrayed | Number of Signs/Places |
| English/Canadian | 7 |
| French | 1 |
| Chinese | 1 |
| Other | N/A |
In this section, I have created three separate tables. Table 1.1 outlines the types of signs found and how many of each. Table 1.2 outlines the languages shown in each of the signs photographed. Table 1.3 outlines the cultures portrayed within these photographed locations. Although it was only the English language used, there were other cultures visible throughout the businesses in the Twin Lakes zone.
Section 3
While doing this linguistic landscape assignment, I have been able to realize quite a few things about the zone that I live in. Beforehand, I knew that there was mainly the English language in my zone. However, I thought that there were still other visible languages portrayed in this zone. When I went to take photographs of signs in my zone, I was aware that some of the businesses in the area were of a different culture. Previously knowing this, I assumed that the signs and advertising would also be in that culture’s language. However, I realized my assumption was wrong when all of the signs for advertisement at these businesses were written in English.
After realizing that it was mainly just the English language shown in all of the photographs displayed, I realized a few things about the Twin Lakes zone. First of all, the majority of the population consists of English speaking individuals, which results in this being the only visible language in public. Although it is good to ensure that the signs allow for individuals of the majority language to read, I feel that this is not equally fair. I believe that the businesses that appealed to a different culture should be advertising in their language, even if the majority population is unable to read it. Perhaps, in this scenario, the advertising could be in their own languages, but there could also be smaller print in the English language for the majority population to read as well.
When I am on walks in my zone during the summer, I have only ever heard the English language spoken. There might have been a few times where I heard French spoken, but it is very rare. This has caught my attention because as I mentioned in section 1, it was noted that 360 immigrants from Asia are present in the Twin Lakes zone. However, there have been few times on a walk around this zone where I have come across someone who speaks Mandarin Chinese. This shocks me quite a bit because there was a Chinese restaurant located in my zone, so I would expect myself to come across the Chinese language being spoken more. However, I also have not paid close attention in the past to what languages others are speaking as I walk past other individuals. Given the knowledge I have gained from this assignment, I am going to attempt to pay more attention to the languages spoken around me in public.
Since I solely speak English, I am part of the majority when it comes to linguistic identity. Therefore, my language is present in all of the photographs that I have displayed. Furthermore, everywhere I go in my zone, I will approach English storefront signs, businesses, or advertising. I feel that my language is strongly shown because I tend to be part of the majority group in my zone which includes non-immigrant individuals. I feel that this reinforces my identity because everywhere I turn, my identity will be shown. I do not have a feeling of needing to hide my language or identity, since it is incredibly broadcasted already. Additionally, this linguistic landscape shapes me because it creates a welcoming atmosphere towards my identity. Since my identity is incredibly shown in public, I can have conversations with others and build relationships because of our commonality, the English language.
An interesting thing I noticed about the Twin Lakes Zone was that there were no signs of Indigenous languages shown. I believe that this is something that should be changed within my zone. The inclusion of Indigenous peoples should be demonstrated. As mentioned previously, some of the businesses were English but part of a different cultural background. I feel that my zone should at least have some form of Indigenous background whether it be an Indigenous business or simply some signs with the Indigenous language. One place that might demonstrate some of the Indigenous languages in my zone could be MacNeill elementary school. When I attended this school, there was rarely the Indigenous culture or language incorporated. However, times have changed in the schooling system. Now, teachers are being taught to honour the Indigenous culture in their classrooms. Therefore, I might be able to notice some of the Indigenous culture or language within this school.
I feel that society has the power to determine what languages appear on signs within their community. The language of the signs is meant to be appealing to the language of the majority population, or the languages spoken within the zone. Possibly, society could work towards incorporating and accepting other languages on signs in the Twin Lakes zone. Additionally, I feel that the businesses also have the power to decide the language that they would like portrayed on their signs. However, since the majority language in my zone is English, these businesses want to include this language to create revenue. For example, if a business only uses the Chinese language in a zone where the majority of individuals speak English, they may experience a decline in revenue because fewer individuals can understand what the signs mean. Personally, I believe that a solution could be incorporating both the English language and their language of choice onto signs because this appeals to more than one culture.
In conclusion, I feel that the linguistic landscape in the Twin Lakes zone solely appeals to one identity, which is the English speaking non-immigrant group. This might send the message to those of another group that does not speak English that their language is not welcome when compared to English. This could make it more difficult for immigrant children to develop an identity close to their cultural values and language since they are surrounded by the English language. If an immigrant family is not fluent in English, it could become difficult to get to know other people or simply go out in public to one of the many businesses in the Twin Lakes zone. There are possible solutions to create a linguistic landscape that is appealing and welcoming to more languages other than English. For my zone to become more welcoming and appealing towards those who do not speak English as a first language, society needs to work together with businesses. Perhaps, some businesses could incorporate both the English language and another language on their signs. The Twin Lakes zone does lack when considering the incorporation of other languages. However, this could see a change in the future if society and businesses make the mutual decision to work with one another on the inclusion of more languages.