2025 Synaesthesia and Accessibility: Exploring the Linguistic Manifestations of Synesthesia in Artwork Audio Descriptions // Explorando las manifestaciones lingüísticas de la sinestesia en las descripciones de audio de obras de arte. In Proceedings VIII International Congress Synaesthesia: Science and Art

Art, as a strongly visual creation, needs to communicate its contents through different linguistic strategies and sensory channels for the benefit of visually impaired and blind (VIB), since a meaningful art journey is grafted on the decoding, translation, and integration of information between different registers. Focusing on the broader context of accessible intersemiotic translation, the research investigates how linguistic strategies—particularly synesthetic metaphors and similes—can improve understanding and sensory engagement with non-figurative art. Employing a qualitative analysis, the study examines AD scripts from the M+ Museum in Hong Kong, available in both English and Mandarin, to identify and compare metaphoric language related to plastic categories, namely colors and shapes. The methodology integrates critical metaphor analysis frameworks and corpus analysis tools to systematically detect and interpret metaphors and similes, emphasizing their sensorial and cultural dimensions. The corpus comprises descriptions of 18 artworks, predominantly abstract pieces by contemporary artists, allowing for cross-linguistic and cross-cultural comparison. Findings reveal that English ADs tend to adopt a more objective tone with fewer metaphors, whereas Mandarin descriptions are more narrative and metaphor-rich, often employing culturally specific imagery. The study concludes that adaptive AD strategies, balancing objective and subjective descriptions based on artwork abstraction level and audience sensory impairment, can significantly enhance art perception for VIB visitors. Ultimately, the research underscores the importance of creative, culturally aware linguistic approaches in developing inclusive museum practices that foster meaningful engagement with contemporary abstract art.