Viszszatükrözdése

Viszszatükrözdése is a coined term in Hungarian that describes the deliberate act of returning a speaker's words, meaning, or emotional tone back to them in order to confirm understanding, encourage elaboration, or regulate the flow of conversation. It is used in communication theory, coaching, counseling, and pedagogy to characterize a form of reflective engagement rather than simple repetition.

Etymology and scope: The word is formed from vissza- (back), tükrözés (reflection) and the nominalizing suffix -ése, with the common but nonstandard spelling viszszatükrözdése in some texts. The concept is closely related to reflective listening and empathetic mirroring, but it emphasizes the explicit act of mirroring both content and affect. It is distinct from general feedback (visszacsatolás) in that the primary aim is reciprocal clarification rather than evaluation.

Practice and applications: In practice, the technique involves listening attentively, paraphrasing the content, and then articulating the implied emotion or stance. Phrases might include: "You’re saying that X, and you feel Y." In counseling, education, and negotiation, viszszatükrözdése can facilitate trust and reduce misunderstanding, though overuse or misinterpretation can feel mechanical or intrusive. Cultural and interpersonal sensitivity is important, as some contexts may favor subtler forms of mirroring over explicit repetition.

See also: reflective listening, active listening, mirroring (psychology).