személytelenség

Személytelenség is a Hungarian term describing the quality or state of being impersonal, lacking personal attributes, emotions, or identity. It designates a stance, style, or presentation that aims for distance, universality, or formality. The concept is used across disciplines to describe both desirable objectivity and potential dehumanization.

Etymology reflects its meaning: it is a compound of személykor person and the suffix -telenség, indicating absence. In linguistics, rhetoric, and aesthetics, személystelenség is used to describe constructions that avoid first-person voice, subjective judgments, or vivid personality traits, often in favor of neutral or generalized expression.

In journalism and science, személys telenség is often valued for objectivity. It is pursued through impersonal language, passive or generalized constructions, and statements anchored in evidence rather than opinion. Critics warn that excessive impersonality can obscure responsibility or diminish reader engagement.

In literature and the visual arts, személys telenség can function as a stylistic device to emphasize universality, systems, or external observations rather than individual characters. It may create a sense of detachment or precision, yet some readers perceive it as cold or sterile.

In organizational and ethical contexts, professional neutrality and formal tone are forms of személys telenség that support impartial administration, law, and education. However, overemphasis on impersonality can hinder empathy and human-centered communication. Politically, it stands in contrast to the idea of a personality cult (személyi kultusz), highlighting different governance aesthetics.