Language Compass Landscape and Environment
How language shapes our perception of landscapes
The research project “Language Compass Landscape and Environment” examined key German-language terms used to describe landscapes and nature. The results show how language shapes our perception of landscapes and nature, guiding our thoughts and actions. Examples: Agrarfläche (“agricultural area”), Landschaftsdienstleistung (“landscape services”), städtischer Raum (“urban space”), Stadtentwicklung (“urban development”), Vernetzungsachse (“network axis”), verdichtetes Bauen (“building densely”)
The Sprachkompass (“Language Compass”) is based on new methods of discourse linguistics and presents its results in an easily understandable manner. By promoting reflective language use, it seeks to inspire careful and sustainable interaction with landscapes and nature and to support understanding between different actors.
Our research uses examples to illustrate which aspects are made visible by use of particular terms and which blind spots they carry with them. It offers experts, decision-makers, and laypeople a tool to critically examine their linguistic resources or means of thinking. One example: landscapes as Fläche (“surface area”).

If the landscape is a “surface area“, then
+ we view it as possessing clear boundaries
+ we mainly pay attention to the surface of the earth
+ we can measure the landscape
- we have difficulty grasping the life within it
- we easily overlook local conditions
- etc.

Project duration: 2014 - 2016
Project website: www.sprachkompass.ch
Publications
Participants
Hugo Caviola, Dr. phil., Linguist, CDE, University of Bern
Andreas Kläy, Senior Research Scientist, CDE, University of Bern
Hans Weiss, Environmental Engineer, former director of the Swiss Foundation for Landscape Conservation and ETH lecturer for spatial planning and landscape protection
Media articles
Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 07.02.2016
Wie die Sprache Werthaltungen erschliesst
Link to article (in German)
Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 08.06.2018
Aus der Aussicht wird eine Landschaftsdienstleistung
Link to article (in German)
"Sprachlupe" aus: Der Bund, 01.06.2018
Wie Sprache Berge versetzt oder schützt
Link to article (in German)