Where do we encounter Turkish in everyday life? On signs, facades, in shops, and throughout the cityscape. Visible Turkish brings this linguistic presence into focus – and invites students to actively contribute to the project. In this way, learning moves beyond the classroom and into public space.
The Lingscape blog showcases selected examples and offers insights into key observations and analyses. The interactive map makes collected examples from Munich’s linguistic landscape visible and invites users to contribute their own observations.
Visible Turkish explores how and where Turkish is present in public spaces in Munich. This includes signs, shop names, restaurants, advertising boards, cultural references, and public information. The project shows that Turkish is an integral part of the city’s linguistic landscape and highlights Munich’s cultural diversity.
Using the platform Lingscape.app of the University of Luxembourg (see Purschke, Christoph / Gilles, Peter (2016 ff.): Lingscape – Citizen science meets linguistic landscaping. Esch-sur-Alzette: University of Luxembourg), all collected examples are digitally documented, categorized, and placed on an interactive map. Users can also upload their own photos, label the language and its function, and actively contribute to the project.
Our goals:
The project makes the presence of Turkish in Munich visible and invites people to actively shape the city’s linguistic landscape. Visible Turkish demonstrates how local and global influences shape the city and make cultural diversity tangible.
For data collection, we use the Lingscape app from the University of Luxembourg.
1. Download the Lingscape app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Open the Lingscape app on your smartphone. No sign-up or registration is required.
3. Tap the ℹ️ icon in the top right corner and open “Settings.”
4. Important: Enter the password so your photo can be linked to our project.
🔑 Password: VisibleTRMunich
5. Tap “Submit”
✅ You are now part of the project!
6. Tap “Add photo.”
7. Select your image source (take a photo or choose one from your gallery).
8. Where exactly was the photo taken? (Mark the location on the map or let the photo provide the location automatically.)
9. Confirm by selecting “Use this location.”
10. Which languages are visible in the photo? (Select the language(s) shown in the image.)
11. Then tap “Upload photo.”
Your photo will be automatically saved to the project! 📸
Everyone! 👋 Just go out, discover Turkish writing in Munich, and take photos—everyone is welcome!
We are looking for Turkish text (including in combination with other languages).
We collect photos of writing on signs, posters, flyers, stickers, graffiti, inscriptions, street signs, or informational notices—on any kind of material.
Keep your eyes open: look for Turkish text, even when it appears together with German or other languages. Every photo helps our project!
📸 Everywhere in Munich! Look out for Turkish writing on signs, posters, stickers, graffiti, and street signs. Keep your eyes open for Turkish text, even when it appears alongside other languages. Every discovery counts!
