Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Ηθική Φιλοσοφία, Δίκαιο και Ευζωία των ΖώωνLibrary of the School of Philosophy
Supervisors info:
Μαρία Σωζοπούλου, Διδάκτωρ, Διδάσκουσα ΔΠΜΣ «Ζώα: Ηθική, Δίκαιο, Ευζωία»Τμήματος Φιλοσοφίας ΕΚΠΑ-Ελληνικό Ινστιτούτο Παστέρ
Δημήτριος Λαμπρέλλης, Μέλος ΔΕΠ (Καθηγητής), Τμήμα Κοινωνιολογίας, Πάντειο Πανεπιστήμιο, Διδάσκων ΔΠΜΣ «Ζώα: Ηθική, Δίκαιο, Ευζωία» Τμήματος Φιλοσοφίας ΕΚΠΑ-Ελληνικό Ινστιτούτο Παστέρ
Μιχαήλ Μαντζανάς, Καθηγητής, Ανωτάτη Εκκλησιαστική Ακαδημία Αθηνών, Διδάσκων ΔΠΜΣ «Ζώα: Ηθική, Δίκαιο, Ευζωία»Τμήματος Φιλοσοφίας ΕΚΠΑ-Ελληνικό Ινστιτούτο Παστέρ
Original Title:
Γλώσσα και Ζώα: Η Κοινωνιογλωσσολογική Προσέγγιση της Γλωσσικής Διαμόρφωσης και Έκφρασης των Αντιλήψεών μας για τα Ζώα
Translated title:
Language and Animals: The Sociolinguistic Approach to the Linguistic Shaping and Expression of Our Perceptions of Animals
Summary:
This thesis examines the language we use when referring to animals, aiming to understand how linguistic choices reflect human perceptions of them. Based on theories from linguistics and psychology, it begins with a general discussion on the significance of language as a primary means of communication shaped by cultural and social perceptions. The words and expressions we use for animals are not merely descriptive but reveal deeper beliefs, biases and ideologies, such as anthropocentrism and speciesism. The main section explores linguistic differences observed when referring to various categories of animals, such as companion animals, stray animals, livestock, laboratory animals, etc. Additionally, proverbs, similes, metaphors and idiomatic expressions related to animals are analyzed to examine the messages they convey and how these linguistic constructs reflect social beliefs and stereotypes. The study then delves into the language used to describe animals in literary and religious texts and what these representations reveal. Furthermore, it includes references to legal terminology related to animals, as well as the language employed by mass media and social media when discussing them. Along with this, the thesis analyzes the evolution of language from the past to the modern era, demonstrating the gradual shift from anthropocentric to more equitable and ethical perspectives. This approach contributes to a deeper exploration and understanding of language’s capacity to evolve and reflect human
perceptions of animals, providing insights into our ethical stance towards them and our
broader relationship with the animal kingdom.
Main subject category:
Philosophy - Psychology
Keywords:
Language, Animals, Sociolinguistics, Anthropocentrism, Speciesism, Stereotypes, Linguistic Evolution
