átröskunum

Átröskunum is an Icelandic term used in anthropology and cultural studies to refer to thresholds—both literal and metaphorical—that mark transitional points in social life. The word combines the preposition á (on/at) with the noun tröskun (threshold) and the plural dative ending -num, yielding a formulation commonly translated as “at the thresholds.”

In scholarly usage, átröskunum describes moments of change such as rites of passage, entry into new social roles, or shifts in collective behavior. The concept is applied to both physical spaces—doorways, gates, and entryways—and to abstract processes like boundary-crossing, identity formation, and changes in status. Researchers may analyze how thresholds shape access, interaction, and power dynamics within communities or organizations.

Applications appear across disciplines, including ethnography, urban studies, and sociolinguistics. For example, studies might examine how doorways and thresholds regulate movement between public and private spheres, or how transitional moments in family or community life signal the start of a new phase. Methodologically, átröskunum is often explored through qualitative approaches such as participant observation, interviews, and spatial analysis.

Interpretations vary: some scholars foreground material thresholds—architectural features and design—while others emphasize symbolic thresholds—identity, belonging, and social boundaries. The concept intersects with related ideas such as liminality, transition, and border studies, offering a lens to understand how spaces and moments enable or constrain change.

See also: threshold, liminality, rite of passage, transitional space.