The anachronistic is incongruous with the time in which it is presented.
The first thing to do in order to understand the meaning of the anachronistic term is to discover its etymological origin. In this case, we can establish that it is a word that derives from Greek, exactly from anachronikós , which is the result of the sum of the following delimited parts:
-The prefix ana- , which can be translated as “against” or “about.”
-The noun cronos , which is the name of the god of time.
-The suffix -ikos , which is synonymous with “relating to”.
Concept of anachronistic
The adjective anachronistic is used to describe that which is anachronistic : that is, that is incongruous with the time in which it is presented . These are elements that, due to their condition or characteristics, are typical of a different time.
There are two main types of anachronisms. When an ancient component is located in a later time, we speak of parachronism . Suppose that a filmmaker, in 2015 , decides to distribute his new film on cassettes with magnetic tape ( VHS ). This decision is anachronistic since, in the 21st century , VHS video cassettes are no longer used. Instead, the logical thing would be distribution on Blu-ray , DVD or other digital formats.
Another kind of anachronism implies that a component from a certain time is located in an earlier time. Some name this anachronism as prochronism , although the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) does not include this term in its dictionary. A case of this type of anachronism occurs if, in a film about Ancient Egypt that takes place during the construction of the Great Sphinx of Giza , a character appears driving a car. This element is anachronistic: it represents a prochronism because automobiles were invented thousands of years after that time.
In films, anachronistic elements often appear by mistake.
The notion in everyday life
Anachronistic elements can appear in everyday life. Sending paper letters through postal mail can be considered an anachronistic practice considering the existence of email .
The same could be said of someone who travels on horseback when there are numerous motor vehicles to cover long distances.
Anachronistic elements in cinema
It is curious to know that, on numerous occasions, anachronisms have occurred in cinema that have gone unnoticed by the public and that are basically due to errors by the team that has made the films in question. Clear examples are the following:
– In the film “Braveheart” ( 1995 ), the characters appear wearing Scottish skirts that, according to historians, would not become popular until four centuries later.
– In the film “El Cid” ( 1961 ), which narrates the adventures of the famous Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar , the Cid Campeador , it talks about “Spain” . But this concept of nation did not exist at that time, in any case they should have used the word “Castilla” .
– In the feature film “Gladiator” ( 2000 ), the gladiator protagonist appears imprisoned with a type of padlock that was created in the United States in the 16th century .
– In the Oscar-winning “Titanic” ( 1997 ), the character played by Leonardo DiCaprio refers to Lake Wissota . However, this, which is artificial, was not created until five years after the tragedy of that boat.