PALRA | Documenting Living Languages in Western Iberia
SM | San Martín de Trevejo Corpus ID : 012 - 155753
Semiotic Resources (TS) / Composition (LL) : image+symbol+text (heraldic image + text : “ALVIS – MARTIN”)
Translational Agency (TS) / Directedness (LL) : bottom-up
Discursive Framing (TS) / Discourse (LL) : artistic, commemorative, private (historical, symbolic, identity)
Translation Strategy (TS) / Distribution (LL) : monolingual
Visibility / Linguistic Hierarchy (TS) / Dominance (LL) : typeface (Latin script in central ribbon, high prominence) + colour+positioning+size
Mobility (TS) / Dynamics (LL) : fixed (fixed wall display)
Sign Type (TS) / Form (LL) : plaque (ceramic tile mural)
Textual Integrity (TS) / Integrity (LL) : complete (intact and legible, fully preserved)
Intertextuality (TS) / Layering (LL) : historical+cultural
Multilingualism (TS) / Linguality (LL) : monolingual
Material (TS) / Material (LL) : paint+other (ceramic tiles)
Inscription (TS) / Mode (LL) : enamelled (hand-painted ceramic design)
Agents (TS) / Name (LL) : artist (signed “Javier Cebles”)
Placement (TS) / Placement (LL) : wall (building façade, likely public)
Size (TS) / Size (LL) : 3-1m² (composed of 9 tiles)
Status (TS) / Status (LL) : recognised(heritage-oriented decorative signage)
Paratext (TS) / Supplement (LL) : decorative heraldic flourishes, artist’s signature
Temporality (TS) / Temporality (LL) : permanent
Language Constellation (TS) / Languages (LL) : SPA
Intersemiotic Elements (TS) / Non-Linguistic Semiotics (LL) : coats of arms, helmet, decorative motifs
Translation Mode (TS) / Translation Mode (LL) : intersemiotic
Translational Silencing (TS) / Absence Marker (LL) : Yes (Extremaduran absent)
Notes : This ceramic plaque functions primarily as a visual-symbolic identity marker rather than communicative signage. The heraldic imagery situates San Martín within a historical narrative of nobility and lineage. The Latinised inscription elevates prestige but simultaneously excludes vernacular languages, reflecting the symbolic rather than practical function of the text.
Additional info:
Coat of arms in ceramic tiles from San Martín de Trevejo (it even says SANCTI MARTIN at the bottom, in Latinized form).
Left Shield (Green background with a castle and a red cross):
Represents Castile, the medieval kingdom that repopulated and protected the area.
The castle is a common heraldic symbol of Castile.
The red cross above recalls the influence of military-religious orders (likely Santiago or Alcántara).
Right Shield (Red with a lamb and wavy blue/white lines):
The lamb (Agnus Dei, Lamb of God) with a cross and banner is a Christian symbol of sacrifice and redemption.
The waves (blue and white stripes) likely represent the nearby rivers (Ribera de Gata and others) and the valley where the town is located.
The red field highlights martyrdom, possibly tied to San Martín de Tours, the town’s patron saint.
The Helmet and Decorative Mantling (blue, gold, green, red):
Standard heraldic ornament, showing nobility and protection.
The open helmet is used for municipalities, not for noble families (closed helmets were for aristocracy).
The Ribbon: “SANCTI MARTIN”
Latin for San Martín. This is a traditional way of writing town names in coats of arms.
Lingscape
