Kajastumine

Kajastumine is an Estonian term that literally translates to "reflection." It is used in both a scientific context to refer to the physical phenomenon by which light, heat, or sound waves change direction upon striking a surface, and in a broader figurative sense to denote the act of mirroring or reproducing something. In physics, kajastumine occurs when a wave encounters a boundary that differs in refractive indices, resulting in the deflection of part of the wave back toward the source. The law of reflection, which states that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection, applies to optical, acoustic, and seismic waves, making kajastumine a foundational concept in many areas of natural science. In everyday usage, Estonian speakers often speak of kajastumine in the context of mirrors or reflective surfaces, but the word is also employed metaphorically to describe how ideas, trends, or cultural phenomena echo each other across time and space. Literary texts occasionally use the term to highlight themes of identity and self-awareness, emphasizing how individuals see themselves reflected in others or in broader social patterns. The concept is also relevant to art and cinematography, where creators deliberately manipulate light and shadow to evoke specific emotional or aesthetic effects. In all its usages, kajastumine encapsulates the dual nature of physical mirroring and its symbolic resonance in human experience.