verwandung

Verwandlung, in standard German usually written Verwandlung, denotes the act or process of changing from one form, state, or condition into another. The form Verwandung without the 'l' is not standard; it may appear as a misspelling or in older texts. The term covers a broad range of transformations across disciplines, from physical changes to shifts in identity or status.

In biology, the word is closely associated with metamorphosis, the developmental process in which an animal undergoes a morphological transformation. Examples include insects such as butterflies and beetles undergoing holometabolie (complete metamorphosis) and many insects and amphibians undergoing hemimetabolie (incomplete metamorphosis). Metamorphosis typically involves distinct life stages with different forms.

In literature, Verwandlung is a central motif and a common title. The most famous instance is Franz Kafka's Die Verwandlung (The Metamorphosis, 1915), in which the protagonist Gregor Samsa awakens to find himself transformed into an insect. The narrative uses transformation to explore themes of identity, isolation, and family dynamics.

In philosophy, psychology, and cultural studies, the term is used metaphorically to describe changes in self-identity, social role, or worldviews. Transformations may be gradual or abrupt and can affect individuals, communities, or cultures.

Usage notes: Verwandlung often implies a fundamental or dramatic change, whereas Veränderung is more commonly used for everyday changes. The word also appears in historical or literary titles and in discussions of aesthetic or conceptual shifts.