Reading the City: Linguistic landscape in Ọrọ metropolis

This study examines the linguistic landscape of Ọrọ metropolis, focusing on the presence of the Ọrọ language in public spaces, and its strength in the speaker’s community. Using Ethnolinguistic Vitality Theory as the analytical framework, the research investigates how language use in public spaces reflects identity, power, and cultural continuity within a multilingual context. The approaches used in collecting the data were field work observation, and photography. Findings reveal that while English remains the dominant language in signage, the Ọrọ language appears in several contexts, often strategically placed before English, reflecting cultural pride and a deliberate effort to sustain indigenous identity. Code-mixing patterns also highlight the dynamic interplay between traditional and modern communicative needs. These results demonstrate that public signs are not just an informational medium but a symbolic arena where language vitality and identity are negotiated. This research draws attention to the relevance of linguistic landscape studies in understanding the sociolinguistic realities of minority language communities, and offers recommendations for policy and revitalization efforts to strengthen Ọrọ language visibility.