Animal metaphors shine a revealing light on that beastly reality.Recent Examples on the Web Ask any of the backs about running backs coach Stump Mitchell and the praise is nothing short of effusive.ĭan Labbe, cleveland, 1 Oct. People are surprisingly willing to rank some humans as less human, and more primitive, than others. Regrettably there is ample evidence that they endure. It would be comforting if dehumanising metaphors and hierarchical ideas about humans and animals were just historical curiosities. To call someone an animal is therefore to demote them to a lower rung of existence, a more primitive state of being where they lack human virtues. In this hierarchy humans have supposedly unique powers of reason and self control, whereas animals represent unrestrained instinct. Just as we are on the third rock from the sun, we are on the third step from the top of the ladder, with God and angels above us. According to the ancient idea of the scala naturae or “great chain or being”, humans sit one step above animals, who themselves sit above plants and then minerals. Indeed, it has been argued animal metaphors reveal a deep sense of hierarchy in nature. Humans are moral, civil and smart animals are not. In essence, when we call someone an “animal” in the general sense, we are ascribing these flaws to them. Our research suggests the most common of these negative attributes are depravity, disagreeableness and stupidity. One study found a clear majority to be judged uncomplimentary – especially those most often addressed to men – and another showed animal metaphors primarily represent negative attributes. The idea of animalityĪlthough only some animal metaphors are highly offensive, most appear to be somewhat negative in their connotations. Disgust-based metaphors picturing people as vermin and cockroaches dominated the imagery of the Holocaust and the Rwandan genocide. Dehumanising ape metaphors were commonly applied to Indigenous people during colonial wars and conquests. It is no accident that these two distinct kinds of metaphor feature in some of history’s most appalling conflicts. In short, some offensive animal metaphors are degrading whereas others are disgusting. However these metaphors convey the message that these people are literally subhuman. When people call others apes, monkeys or dogs, for instance, they are likening them to animals that are not disliked, unlike rats or snakes. Second, we found that some animal metaphors are highly objectionable because the comparison itself is dehumanising. ![]() Rather they transfer the disgust felt towards the animal to the person. When people use these metaphors to refer to a person they do not imply that the person is literally like these animals. We found that two features were particularly potent.įirst, and perhaps not surprisingly, intensely reviled animals such as snakes, leeches and rats make more insulting metaphors. In one study, my colleagues and I explored the meanings conveyed by an assortment of animal metaphors and examined what features made some of them especially offensive. But what is it about these animal comparisons that makes them offensive? Offensive metaphors Calling someone a pig, rat, ape, monkey, dog, maggot or leech carries a derogatory meaning and a strong emotional and moral charge. Many animal metaphors are straightforwardly offensive rather than simply representing a particular trait. Calling someone a shark in the English speaking world implies they are dishonest and rapacious, but in Persian it refers to a man with little or no beard. In the West owls are wise, but in India they represent foolishness. This shorthand varies across cultures and languages. Calling someone a cow or toad speaks to their physical rather than psychological characteristics. Calling someone a sheep implies they are conformist, whereas calling them a chicken or mouse suggests fearfulness and timidity. Other animal metaphors are more neutral, offering a sort of zoological shorthand for the full range of human attributes. People identify with the totemic animals of their football clubs. Valued animals symbolise desirable human traits: brave people are lion-hearted and perceptive ones eagle-eyed. Cute, diminutive animals provide pet names for children or lovers. ![]() People draw animal comparisons using countless expressions, many of which convey positive sentiments. When we do liken people to other creatures – when sports fans use racial slurs or Donald Trump calls Syrian President Bashar al-Assad an “animal” – fur often flies. ![]() We are animals, but animals who like to believe we are not merely animals. Comparing humans to animals is vexed but irresistible.
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