Language and communication in the scope of hospital engineering and architecture

Abstract

This paper deals with the language and communication used in the field of Hospital Engineering and Architecture. Firstly we describe the concept of language and communication from a linguistic and cognitive point of view (Lakoff 1987; Fauconnier and Turner 2001) paying special attention to the use of imagery and figurative language, such as metaphor, to highlight the most relevant types found in this area. The examples provided in this article have been classified according to constitutive and explanatory metaphors. Both categories belong to conceptual maps shared by engineers and architects and are referred to their mental understanding of a hospital. The daily use of this metaphorical language provides this professional group with powerful communication tools that facilitates their expertise for example to heal their most direct patient, the Hospital. Our main aim is to show the implications of thought and language in communication and in daily professional practice. Thus, the visual representations of a few hospitals have been selected to illustrate on one hand, the hospital image as a visual metaphor created on purpose, and how they can communicate and provide a positive or negative perception to the patients/ users. On the other hand, we examine if other care centres/hospitals without providing a metaphorical image to users can transmit a positive or negative image and impact also on their healing. Our conclusion suggests that hospitals design and maintenance can be perceived by the patient through the building and its systems, and can contribute to their wellness and ultimate recovery.