Abstract Book of the 2nd Global Conference on Aging and Gerontology
Year: 2025
DOI:
[PDF]
The Status of a Senior in Poland and Germany on the Example of the Linguistic and Visual Representation in the Open Public Spaces of Warsaw and Berlin
Dr. Kinga Kowalewska
ABSTRACT:
The study is a part of larger research on the image of older adults in the public space of two European neighbouring countries – Poland and Germany. The project focuses on the linguistic and visual representation of the population of seniors and is financially supported by the National Science Centre in Poland. The theoretical approach underpinning this project is that age and, in consequence, the image of the elderly are socially and culturally constructed and depend on the country specific. The main objective of the study was to examine and compare the messages available in the open public space of Warsaw and Berlin as they carry communicative potential for image building. It was hypothesized that due to the fact that social (a substantially larger population in Germany) and financial (income of people aged 65 in Germany is twice as high as in their peers in Poland) status of older adults in Poland and Germany is different, the difference will be reflected in the quantity and quality of linguistic and nonlinguistic resources available in public space referring to the elderly. The research material comprised over 600 messages. The hypothesis was verified as it was revealed that the identified differences cover gender and race representation, lifestyle preferences, social roles, the choice of leisure activities, professional context, religion, health and family status, the use of sense of humour as well as lexical choice. Research results can contribute to improving the current state of knowledge about the image of the oldest age groups and be helpful in the area of social policy, particularly in designing and implementing pro-age initiatives, social campaigns promoting natural ageing, and programmes aimed at improving the situation of older people at the local, national and international level.
keywords: seniors, the elderly, ageing, representation, public space, image