Meszesedés

Meszesedés is a Hungarian noun derived from “mesé”, meaning “story”, combined with the suffix “‑sédés” which denotes a process or transformation. It refers to the act or process of turning facts, events, or ordinary experiences into a narrative form, often by adding elements of myth, legend, or imaginative elaboration. The term can be used in literary criticism, cultural studies, or even marketing contexts where factual information is presented in a storytelling style.

The concept has roots in the broader linguistic phenomenon of narrative framing, which has been studied across cultures. In Hungary, meszesedés can be seen in folklore, where historical facts are embellished with supernatural motifs, and in contemporary media, where news stories are sometimes dramatized to increase engagement.

In practice, meszesedés can be employed to evoke emotional resonance, preserve collective memory, or shape public perception. It is closely related to terms such as “mythologizáció” (mythologizing), “epifazis” (epiphanizing), and “történetszerkesztés” (story editing). Scholars examine meszesedés to understand how societies construct identity and meaning through narrative. The technique is also discussed in the context of propaganda, where factual information is strategically story‑framed to influence attitudes. Thus, meszesedés functions as a linguistic tool that bridges objective data and the symbolic demands of communal storytelling.