This article aims to explore the «epistemic void» that arises when a person with mental illness cannot find the words to name and conceptualize – through the dominant epistemic resources of a linguistic community – an experience thatappears unfamiliar to them. The «metonymic» error of considering the person as unfamiliar, rather than the linguistic expression of the experience of mental illness, underlies the failure of the community, relying on dominant epistemic resources, to attribute meaning. In particular, the article will analyze the role of metaphorical language as a potential remedy to the «epistemic void» that arises in these situations. Metaphor can serve as a bridge between familiar and unfamiliar epistemic worlds, allowing one to approach and understand experiences such as those associated with mental illness. From an epistemic collaboration perspective in meaning-making, the language of people with mental illness should not be seen as meaningless, but as encoded according to different conceptual structures. Therefore, this metaphorical language can be regarded as a language that deserves to be translated, rather than ignored or misinterpreted. The article concludes with some reflections on the importance of translating these experiences for the recognition and inclusion of the other as an epistemic subject.

«Vuoto epistemico»: metafora e traduzione nella malattia mentale

Francesca Ervas
2025-01-01

Abstract

This article aims to explore the «epistemic void» that arises when a person with mental illness cannot find the words to name and conceptualize – through the dominant epistemic resources of a linguistic community – an experience thatappears unfamiliar to them. The «metonymic» error of considering the person as unfamiliar, rather than the linguistic expression of the experience of mental illness, underlies the failure of the community, relying on dominant epistemic resources, to attribute meaning. In particular, the article will analyze the role of metaphorical language as a potential remedy to the «epistemic void» that arises in these situations. Metaphor can serve as a bridge between familiar and unfamiliar epistemic worlds, allowing one to approach and understand experiences such as those associated with mental illness. From an epistemic collaboration perspective in meaning-making, the language of people with mental illness should not be seen as meaningless, but as encoded according to different conceptual structures. Therefore, this metaphorical language can be regarded as a language that deserves to be translated, rather than ignored or misinterpreted. The article concludes with some reflections on the importance of translating these experiences for the recognition and inclusion of the other as an epistemic subject.
2025
Epistemic injustice; Mental illness; Metaphor; Translation
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
iris-unica-iride vuoto epistemico.pdf

embargo fino al 31/10/2026

Tipologia: versione post-print (AAM)
Dimensione 436.94 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
436.94 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11584/444765
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact