A marginal is a person who seems to stand "on the edge" between different social groups or cultures. They do not fully belong to any of them. The term "marginal" comes from the word "margines," meaning "edge" or "border." Imagine, for example, that you live in a country with certain traditions but grew up in a family with a different set of habits and values. Because of this, you may feel as if you are outside the "center" of both cultures.
A marginal is a word that has several meanings depending on the context, but generally, it refers to people or phenomena that are on the edge (periphery) of society or a system.
Main meanings:
- In sociology / everyday language:
A marginal is a person who has found themselves outside the main social norms, values, or groups. For example: homeless people, outcasts, radical thinkers, those who have not adapted to society.
This can be either voluntary or forced alienation.
- In politics:
Marginal parties are political forces that have very little support and do not influence power.
Marginal ideas are unconventional, radical, or little-known ideas.
- In economics (as an adjective: "marginal"):
Marginal income, marginal costs, etc. are indicators that reflect the increase or change per unit (for example, the income from producing one more unit of a good).
What a marginal is can also be understood by mentioning other synonyms such as "outcast," "alienated," or "outsider." These are words with similar meanings that describe a person who is outside the mainstream of society.