City anthropomorphism in metaphors of its components and processes

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34680/urbis-2023-3(2)- 206-213

Anton Gashenko
Kryachkov Novosibirsk State University of Architecture, Design and Arts,
Novosibirsk, Russia
[email protected]

ORCID: 0000-0003-3887-9340

ABSTRACT

The article explores the anthropomorphic metaphors that arise when describing a city and its components. Metaphor is one of the forms of cognition of the essence of a complex object or process. The city, as an object of knowledge, can be represented in many ways, one of which is a metaphor. Anthropomorphic metaphors are based on endowing the city with the properties of human morphology, physiology, and psychology. The author aims to identify, structure, and justify the use of anthropomorphic metaphors in various contexts. For this purpose, methods of terminological search and contextual analysis were used, thanks to which terms of urban discourse with anthropomorphic etymology were identified in the field of scientific information. The study established two main contexts of the anthropomorphism of the city: material and physiological and ideological and personal. Examples of metaphors are given and described. The material-physiological context includes metaphors that describe the city as a physical body with various parts and functions. In the ideological and personal context, the city is considered as a person with consciousness, emotions, and values. The author concludes that the use of anthropomorphic metaphors in urban discourse contributes to a better understanding and interpretation of urban processes. However, excessive use of such metaphors can lead to distortion of reality and the creation of false ideas about the city. In general, anthropomorphic metaphors are an important tool for exploring and describing a city, but they should be used with caution, taking the context into account. The use of such metaphors is useful in those communication formats when it is necessary to explain the essence of complex urban phenomena for non-professionals to understand.

Keywords: anthropomorphism, morphology, metaphor,  city, organism

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Information about the author
Anton E. Gashenko
Cand. Sci. (Architecture),
Associate Professor of Urban Planning
and Landscape Architecture Department
Kryachkov Novosibirsk State University
of Architecture, Design, and Arts
38, Krasny Avenue, Novosibirsk, 630099,
Russian Federation
ORCID: 0000-0003-3887-9340
Scopus AuthorID: 57215198900
e-mail: [email protected]

For citation:
Gashenko, A. E. (2023). City anthropomorphism in metaphors of its components and processes. Urbis et Orbis. Microhistory and Semiotics of the City, 3(2), 206–213. https://doi.org/10.34680/urbis-2023-3(2)- 206-213