Linguistic Landscapes of “Pura Vida”: Language Policy, Information Technology and Globalization in Liberia and Nosara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Today's Evolving Linguistic Landscapes of the Guanacastecos' "Pura Vida":
Language Policy, Information Technology and Globalization in Liberia and
Nosara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

English as "lingua franca" has become mainstream in international business,
industry, science and entrepreneurship. All languages are being altered
due to a technologically-dependent world as well as the present high period
of global immigration and migration, promulgated by an unstable global
economy and low employment rates. This paper will examine the linguistic
landscapes (LLs) in Liberia, an urban city, and Nosara, a coastal
mountainous jungle region, in Guanacaste, Costa Rica – documenting the
sociosymbolic importance of the Guanacastecos' LLs currently represented in
public signage and establishments. After examining what the definition of
LLs, the speaker will speak to how Costa Rica's LLs are emblematic of its
historically multicultural, multiethnic and multilingual societies as well
as its various speech communities, endangered indigenous languages, and
regional traditions and customs—all of which are part of the "Pura Vida"
approach to life.

Since the economic collapse in 2008, Costa Rica's socioeconomic
configuration has been moving toward a developed, industrialized country.
Costa Rica has been using its resources to increase businesses and
industries. It is, therefore, no surprise that Costa Ricans and even
expatriated Nicaraguans (employed Costa Rica due to high unemployment in
Nicaragua) are bilingual, bi-literate and bicultural using Spanish as the
home language and English as "lingua franca". Needless to say,
Guanacastecos are still maintaining their "Pura Vida" approach.

The paper will examine the differences in LLs of Liberia, an urban area,
and Nosara, a rural coastal, mountainous jungle region. In both areas
Costa Ricans are becoming bilingual, bi-literate and bicultural. Examining
these LLs will highlight the backdrop to the "Pura Vida" approach as well
as emphasize them as a valuable learning tool deeply rooted in languages,
cultures, traditions and customs. Appreciating how LLs influence societal
interactions will facilitate understanding how national, indigenous,
multiethnic, and individual identities are very deeply connected to the
Guanacastecos' "Pura Vida" approach to life even in today's technologically-
driven, rapidly-changing, highly-competitive global ecosystem.