Vallomás

Vallomás is a Hungarian term that broadly translates as confession, admission, or testimony. It can denote an admission of guilt or complicity, a formal statement of facts, or a declaration of truth in both religious and secular contexts. The exact sense depends on the setting.

Etymology and usage: Vallomás derives from the verb vallani (to confess, to testify) with the suffix -ás, forming a noun. It covers personal admissions of concealed information, witness statements, and accounts given to authorities or other parties.

Religious sense: In religious contexts, vallomás can refer to confession of sins. However, in everyday Hungarian the sacramental confession within the Catholic tradition is more commonly called gyónás. Vallomás may appear in liturgical or devotional language in some traditions or contexts.

Legal sense: In law, vallomás denotes a formal statement by a suspect or a witness about facts relevant to a case. A confession can be used as evidence if voluntary and properly recorded, and individuals typically have rights to legal counsel and to refuse to answer. Safeguards exist against coercive interrogation and false confessions.

Nuances: Distinctions exist between tanúvallomás (witness statement) and a confession by the accused; the weight and admissibility of a vallomás depend on the jurisdiction and the circumstances of the case.

See also: confession, testimony, penance.