Marjinal

Marjinal is a term used in Turkish and Indonesian languages that generally translates as marginal or at the edge. In both languages, it functions as an adjective describing something near the border, peripheral, or in sociology, groups or phenomena that exist on the margins of society. In economics and social sciences, marjinal is used in phrases such as marginal cost, marginal utility, or marginal revenue, with Turkish usage often reflecting standard economic terminology (marjinal maliyet, marjinal fayda). In Indonesian, similar constructions exist (biaya marjinal, manfaat marjinal). In political discourse, marjinal can refer to fringe or non-mainstream opinions or actors.

The etymology of marjinal traces to the Latin marginalis, passing through European languages such as French and English, and then adapting into Turkish and Indonesian phonology and spelling. The sense remains linked to something at the edge or boundary, whether in physical space, social standing, or theoretical analysis.

Marjinal is also used as a proper noun in some Turkish and Indonesian contexts. It has been adopted as the name of cultural or media projects, collectives, or publications that seek to associate with fringe, countercultural, or nonconformist themes. Because usage varies by country and era, the exact reference can differ; there is no single universally defined entity known simply as “Marjinal.”