anthropomorphism

English translation: Attribution of human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to animals (or inanimate objects)

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:anthropomorphism
Selected answer:Attribution of human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to animals (or inanimate objects)
Entered by: x-Translator (X)

00:34 Apr 17, 2004
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Medical - Linguistics / language
English term or phrase: anthropomorphism
THESIS

I have to analyze a paragraph with this word...it deals with the context of pets.
Clarisa Citadel
to treat animals (pets) as if they were human
Explanation:
Attribution of human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to animals (or inanimate objects)

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=anthropomorphism
Selected response from:

x-Translator (X)
Grading comment
Graded automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +10to treat animals (pets) as if they were human
x-Translator (X)
5 +5definition
ARTES
5 +3see explanation
Asghar Bhatti
5Some deity that has human or animal shape or form
humbird


  

Answers


5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +10
to treat animals (pets) as if they were human


Explanation:
Attribution of human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to animals (or inanimate objects)

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=anthropomorphism

x-Translator (X)
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GreekGreek
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Graded automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Hacene
8 mins
  -> thanks, Hacene

agree  Vicky Papaprodromou
9 mins
  -> thanks, Vicky :)

agree  Jean-Luc Dumont
2 hrs
  -> thanks :)

agree  Calliope Sofianopoulos (X)
2 hrs
  -> thanks, Calliope :)

disagree  humbird: Not for animals. Please see my opinion to Asghar Bhatti.
2 hrs
  -> Thanks but read the context provided by the asker more carefully, it's about pets.

agree  Alfa Trans (X)
4 hrs
  -> thanks, Marju :)

agree  Ltemes
5 hrs
  -> thanks :)

agree  Mario Marcolin: very much so :)
8 hrs
  -> thanks, Mario :)

agree  DGK T-I
9 hrs
  -> thanks, Giuli :)

agree  ben baudoin
9 hrs
  -> thanks, Ben :)

agree  Armorel Young: that's what it is
17 hrs
  -> thanks, Armorel :)

agree  mportal
4 days
  -> thanks :)
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16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +3
see explanation


Explanation:
The act of attributing human forms or qualities to entities which are not human. Specifically, anthropomorphism is the describing of gods or goddesses in human forms and possessing human characteristics such as jealousy, hatred, or love.

Mythologies of ancient peoples were almost entirely concerned with anthropomorphic gods. The Greek gods such as Zeus and Apollo often were depicted in anthropomorphic forms. The avatars of the Hindu god Vishnu possessed human forms and qualities.

Current religious holds that is not logical to describe the Christian God, who is believed to be omnipotent and omnipresent, as human. However, it is extremely difficult for the average person to picture or discuss God or the gods without an anthropomorphic framework.

In art and literature, anthropomorphism frequently depicts deities in human or animal forms possessing the qualities of sentiment, speech and reasoning. A.G.H.
Definition
anthropomorphism [Show phonetics]
noun [U]
the showing or treating of animals, gods and objects as if they are human in appearance, character or behaviour:
The books 'Alice in Wonderland', 'Peter Rabbit' and 'Winnie-the-Pooh' are classic examples of anthropomorphism.

anthropomorphic [Show phonetics]
adjective





Asghar Bhatti
United States
Local time: 06:00
Native speaker of: Native in UrduUrdu, Native in PunjabiPunjabi

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Krisztina Lelik
8 hrs

agree  Nancy Arrowsmith: goes farther than just animals, the whole universe is believed to revolve around humans
17 hrs

agree  Craft.Content
1 day 36 mins
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7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +5
definition


Explanation:
By dictionary definition anthropomorphism is:
The attribution of human motivation, charactristics, or behavior to animals.

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Note added at 18 mins (2004-04-17 00:52:36 GMT)
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It is very natural for dog owners to sometimes think of their pets in human terms -we often call our animals by human names and they in turn often become, literally, family members. Problems can arise when we take this too far, however, and expect a dog to understand human speech and reasoning (\"I´m going out now but will be back at two, please be good!\")or when we assign human emotions to a pet to explain its actions (\"Spot must love you more, that´s why he ignores me...\")

If your pet is going to be able to function safely, contentedly, and in a well-behaved manner in your world you must learn to understand its actions in canine, not human, terms and communicate with your pets in a way they can understand.

Good Luck with our thesis Clarisa... from two animal lovers,
ARTES, Arthur and Rachel

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Note added at 20 mins (2004-04-17 00:54:53 GMT)
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REFERENCES:
Funk & Wagnalls Collge Dictionary
Animal Behavior,ASPCA

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Note added at 1 hr 45 mins (2004-04-17 02:19:29 GMT)
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\"your\" thesis of course!

ARTES
Local time: 03:00
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Vicky Papaprodromou
7 mins
  -> Hi Vicky how are your and thanks, we so looooved your city great link!..wish we were there now!!! Cheers to beautifulGreece!!!

agree  Java Cafe
33 mins
  -> Hello Java and many thanks, we hope you have a nice weekend!!!

agree  Jean-Luc Dumont
2 hrs
  -> Hello JLDSF. ..we loooved your photo....007?? !! Many thanks and have a nice Sunday!

disagree  humbird: I do not think this word is associated to pets.
2 hrs
  -> It is the attribution of human characteristics to inanimate objects & "animals", Susan, your marvellous analysis tackles anthropomorphism & deities... Asker needs the "pets" connection here... the term is widely used among pet psychologists & handlers.

agree  Mario Marcolin: very much so :)
8 hrs
  -> Hi Mario and many thanks our regards to wonderful Sweden.

agree  DGK T-I
9 hrs
  -> Hello Dr . Giuli, your agree is an honor, cheers to tht U.K!!,,

agree  Melanie Nassar
12 hrs
  -> Nice to meet you Armaat and many thanks for your agree, enjoy your weekend!
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Some deity that has human or animal shape or form


Explanation:
Basically I agree with Asghar Bhatti's definition. But "agree" section does not permit me enough space to make my point so I decided to give answer indepent of his. In essence, this is nothing to do with Disney animation of Donald Duck or Micky Mouse, or your pet who can nod or bark (or meow) at your request. Derivation first -- "Anthro" is a prefix that is to do with human, as anthropology or anthropathy. "Morpho" part is from same origin means "shape, form". In many ancient art forms (such as rock art) deity are portrayed as human or animal form which are representative of human psyche about supernaturals being that were held in the minds of the ancients. In other words anthropomorphism is "the ascription of human form or characteristics to a deity, or to any being or thing not human". In this, mythic fairies, nymphs, cupids, sirens, marmaids etc., could be all called anthropomorphic (adjective form of anthropomorphism).
Main reference: "The Reader's Digest Great Encyclopedia Dictionary".

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Note added at 2004-04-17 04:05:40 (GMT)
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OK, context is about pet. But it is neither good, nor accurate usage.

humbird
Native speaker of: Native in JapaneseJapanese, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
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