* Anthropomorphism: This is the most common and general term. It refers to giving human characteristics, like talking, to non-human beings, including animals.
* Zoomorphism: This is a more specific term that refers to giving animal characteristics to humans. It's the opposite of anthropomorphism.
* Personification: This is a literary device where you give human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. While it's not directly about animals talking, it can be used to describe animals acting in a human-like way.
* Animal Fable: This is a specific genre of storytelling that features talking animals. It often conveys a moral lesson or teaches a life lesson.
Examples:
* Anthropomorphism: In the movie *Lion King*, the animals talk, sing, and have complex emotions, making them very similar to humans.
* Animal Fable: *The Tortoise and the Hare* is a classic fable that uses talking animals to tell a story about perseverance and humility.
Ultimately, the best term to use depends on the specific context of your story and how you are portraying your animal characters.