Space for the Displaced: Ukrainian Language and Symbols in the Semiotic Urban Landscapes of Germany.

This article examines recent changes in the linguistic landscape (LL) and semiotic landscapes of German cities, focusing on the increased visibility of Ukrainian language and symbols following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Drawing on data collected mainly in the German state of Hesse and supplemented by social media images from Ukrainian communities, the study highlights how Ukrainian flags, language, and cultural markers have appeared in public and semi-public spaces as expressions of identity, solidarity, and support by diverse actors including state institutions, businesses, NGOs, and diasporic communities. Ukrainian LL tokens are prevalent in places frequented by refugees—such as railway stations, volunteer centers, and migration offices—providing crucial information and fostering belonging, while also featuring in protests and commercial contexts. The article concludes that the future presence of Ukrainian in Germany’s multilingual landscape depends on ongoing war dynamics, migration patterns, and cultural diplomacy, noting a recent decline in visible Ukrainian LL tokens as refugees integrate and the war becomes a normalized global issue.