Ordinal-Linguistic Personification (OLP) is a fascinating form of synesthesia where sequences such as numbers, letters, days of the week, or months of the year are imbued with distinct personalities, genders, or other human characteristics. Imagine perceiving the number “3” as a friendly, outgoing male, while the letter “A” is seen as a quiet, introverted female. This is the world of OLP, where abstract concepts come to life with their own unique personas.
For individuals with OLP, each element in a sequence has its own distinct personality traits, emotions, or genders. These associations are remarkably consistent over time. If “Wednesday” is perceived as a grumpy old man once, it will always be perceived that way. What’s intriguing is that these associations occur naturally and involuntarily, without any conscious effort.
Consider numbers: “1” might be seen as a strict, no-nonsense character, while “2” could be gentle and nurturing. Letters follow suit, with “B” perhaps being a cheerful, friendly character, whereas “D” is stern and serious. Days of the week are not exempt; “Monday” might feel like an industrious, hard-working person, while “Sunday” might be relaxed and carefree.
For some synesthetes, these personifications can aid in memory and learning. The personalities assigned to abstract sequences make them more relatable and easier to remember. This unique way of perceiving the world can also enrich creative endeavors, adding layers of meaning and personality to everyday concepts.