minulým

Minulém is a hypothetical concept used in theoretical discussions of time, memory, and narrative construction. It designates a cognitive-linguistic mechanism by which individuals transform dispersed past experiences into a single, coherent narrative of the past.

Etymology and coinage: The term is a constructed neologism, inspired by the Czech word minulý meaning "past" and the instrumental form minulém, chosen for its phonetic resonance. It does not correspond to a widely recognized linguistic category and is not widely used outside speculative or pedagogical contexts.

Concept and characteristics: Minulém is described as an analytical lens rather than a grammatical unit. It emphasizes four aspects: coherence (linking events into a continuous arc), temporal normalization (placing events on a shared timescale), causal framing (interpreting events as causally related), and memory-mediated narration (the influence of recall on how events are told). It is used to explain why disparate memories or diary entries can seem to form a unified life story when recalled or retold.

Applications and limitations: The concept appears in theoretical discussions and instructional contexts to illustrate how people organize recollections. It is not established in empirical research, and its applicability can vary by individual and context. Critics warn that treating memory as a single narrative may overlook fragmentation, competing stories, and alternative viewpoints within an individual's recollection.

See also: memory, narrative identity, historiography, cognitive linguistics.