9 amazing facts about the Hungarian language that most people have never heard of

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We collected 9 little-known fascinating facts about the Hungarian language:

1. Did you know that one of the earliest traces of the Hungarian language was unearthed in Nova Scotia, Canada?

Yarmouth County Museum in Nova Scotia safeguards a unique artefact – the Runic Stone, shedding light on Hungarian presence in America predating Columbus. Tyrkir, a Hungarian voyager accompanying the Vikings on their expeditions around 1000 AD, left his mark in stone with a 13-character inscription. Scottish travel writer Samuel Laing first disclosed this information about Tyrkir back in 1844, in London. While initially attributed to Norse runes, linguists later confirmed the language of the inscription to be Old Hungarian. Szilva Lajosné decoded the infamous finding in 1984: “Ericson járt e hejen is sok társával.”

2. Did you know that one of the most valuable incunabula in the Library of the British Museum in London also bears the Hungarian language?

Dating back to 1533, the opening sentence reads: “Az Ephesom helyeknek yrth Zent Pál levelének elsew capitoliuma.”

3. Did you know that a group of linguists from the Department of Linguistics and Phonetics of Sorbonne University embarked on a quest to unravel the ancient roots of various languages?

With the help of modern tools and techniques, they sought to identify languages preserving the most ancient elements of literacy and containing the most etymons (the linguistic form from which another form is historically derived). According to the results: modern English contains 4% of etymons, Latin 5%, Hebrew 5%, the Pacific languages 7%, Indian languages 9% and Tibetan Sanskrit 12%. Surprisingly, modern Hungarian emerged as the frontrunner, boasting a staggering 68% of etymons, surpassing even ancient Turkish and Turkmen.

4. Did you know that linguists place a huge emphasis on the question of antiquity of modern languages?

Hungarian linguists and scholars have devoted over two centuries to the pursuit of unravelling linguistic antiquity. Figures like József Kerestesi, Sándor Kőrösi Csoma , István Horváth, Mihály Táncsis, Zsigmond Varga and László Pass have tirelessly delved into the origins of Euroasiatic languages. Renowned linguist and polyglot Ferenc Kemény, who understands 40 and speaks 15 languages) asserts Hungarian as the oldest among Euroasiatic languages.

5. Did you know that Hungarian family names are used as geographical names in all corners of the world?

Dr Bátor Vámos-Tóth, residing in Hawaii, and his colleagues have meticulously catalogued examples of Hungarian names and words used in countries all across the globe. They have established that over 6000 geographical locations bear Hungarian names, including cities, smaller towns, rivers and hills spanning India, Iraq, Malta, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Philippines, the Caucasus region and Udmurtia. The most common names are: Almás, Káldi, Kocsis and Vajas.

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6. Did you know that English political economist, traveller, polyglot and the 4th Governor of Hong Kong Sir John Bowring spoke fluent Hungarian?

He translated numerous Hungarian poems into English, which were later collected in a book titled “Poetry of Magyars”. As the foreword of the book reads, Bowring reckons that ”the Magyar language stands afar off and alone. The study of other tongues will be found of exceedingly little use towards its right understanding. It is molded in a form essentially its own, and its construction and composition may be safely referred to an epoch when most of the living tongues of Europe either had no existence, or no influence on the Hungarian region.”

7. Did you know that the Hungarian language is one of a kind in term of effects of compression on language?

There is no denying that the Hungarian language is a truly unique linguistic phenomenon, characterised by its rich phonetics and intricate grammar, including 19 noun cases and a myriad of suffixes and prefixes.

8. Did you know that Western alphabets usually contain around 7 vowels?

In stark contrast to Western alphabets, Hungarian boasts an expansive inventory of 14 vowels: a-á, e-é, i-I, o-ó, ö-ő, u-ú, ü-ű. For instance, in Italy there are only 5.

9. Did you know that in the list of the most melodic languages first comes the Italian language, followed by the Greek and the third most melodic language is the Hungarian?

Italian cardinal, famous linguist and hyper polyglot Giuseppe Mezzofanti (he could write in 58 and spoke 103 languages), once said to the Czech linguist, Ludwig August Frankl: “Do you know which language is equal to Latin and Greek in its structure and rhythmic harmony? It is the Hungarian language. I am familiar with the new Hungarian poets, whose verses are completely mesmerising. Let us watch the future, for the poetic genius will have a sudden upswing, which will prove my statement to be true. It seem as if the Hungarians themselves do not realise what treasure their language hides.”

Unlocking the mysteries of the Hungarian language reveals a tapestry woven with historical significance and linguistic brilliance, enriching our understanding of cultural diversity and human expression.

Read also:

  • Famous Hungarian Proverbs vol. 1.
  • The world’s Easternmost Hungarian village by the Black Sea – VIDEO, PHOTOS

Translated by Ekaterina Egorova

Source: szabadonebredok.hu

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31 Comments

  1. It is wonderful!
    Sok van mi csodálatos,…. de a Magyar nyelvnél nincs semi csodálatosabb!

  4. A legszebb versek amit magyar koltok irtak: szinte lehetetlen mas nyelvre leforditani. Nem talalni megfelelo szot. Felnott korban szinte lehetetlen elsajatitani.

    Gyonyoru a mi nyelvunk. <3

  7. 3. It is due to the fact that HUngarian was reformed only in the XIX century

    4. For a serious linguistic “older or oldest” language makes no sense. Can be an older or oldest document, but NOT the language itself.

    8. 7 voyels, and for each long and short. Only a-á and e-é have different sounds, so basically there are 9 voyel sounds.

    We have not to exaggerate, come on! Hungarian is a really beautiful and amazing language by itself.

  8. Great artical but I can’t get past the first one…. Yarmouth is in Nova Scotia CANADA not Newfoundland!
    Newfoundland like Nova Scotia is a province.

  9. Speaking multiple languages does not a linguist make. It is entirely possible to speak many languages with out ever studying linguistics, and it is entirely possibly to study linguistics without speaking more than one or two languages (though admittedly the latter is somewhat rare). Giuseppe Mezzofanti is only believed to have been fluent in 38 languages (Impressive in and of itself, but not the same as speaking 103 languages) and is said to have dabbled in additional languages, mostly so he could take confessions, depending on the source and how you count language vs dialect he is credited with anywhere from 40ish to 118 or so.
    This whole article feels more like a high school presentation rather than a professional news article.

  10. meg senki se tudja bisztosan de az bisztos hogy sok itt szuletett gyerek nem beszeli a magyart ez a szulok hibaja mert az nagymama vagy nagytata nem beszel angolul a gyerek csak angolul mama tata megkel tanuljon ango lul ami nehez minden nyelv nehez mindenkinek azt kivanok erot es bekeseget nem gyuloletet mert az elet nagyon rovid sok nyelv van a vilagon mindenkinek a sajat nyelve az igazi minden nemzetet kel szeresunk nem a nemzet hanem a szereted mind egyformak vagyunk akarmilyen nemzet vagy mindenkinek a halal egyforma van aki fiatalon van aki idosen ez nem mindegy de ha osze tartunk minden nemzettel akor sikerul sokmindent megoldani mi nagyon sokat adomanyosztunk visza kaptuk nagyon sok belyeget es elismerest mindeki naponta egy doolar nagy segitseg lehet majd egyszer mi is ra szorulunk udvozlettel laszlo flushing ny

  13. Dear Marpio!

    Maybe the voyels long or short but that different is mean a lot!

    For examle : megörül or megőrül!

    Two very different things!

    As is two different voyels.

    So is matter! 🙂

    Have a good day!

  14. Gabriell N

    Good for you ,and us
    HUNGARIANS
    told of that Marpio person
    Pure envious intentions
    YES it’s so true how unique
    Are language is
    So stay away !!!

  15. I am Hungarian and I have to say I completely agree with marpio. This article contains several pieces of wrong information as well as half truths (and spelling errors)..

  16. This article above is much more meritorious than some of its critics, who may be well meaning, seem to realize. Unfortunately, many a comment suffers from an extraordinary lack of mastery of the tongue in which it is written.
    “Somika 87” makes no sense whatever.
    “Marpio”: I wouldn’t jump the gun on No. 1, for, its counterargument hasn’t been substantiated.
    “JGardner”: “with out” is a dead giveaway of the likelihood that you ain’t no lingiust. Further, your knitpicking of the number of languages the Italian cardinal spoke has no bearing on the validity of his opinion.
    “Laszlo Salamon”:Your phylosophical thoughts are appreciated, but your butchering my native Hungarian language — quite to the contrary. May I suggest that next time you write in some other language?
    “Gabriella Nagy”: Would you, please, ask “Marpio” what “voyel” sound are?… :
    :

  17. @Gusztav Veres: Well, if spelling mistakes are “a dead giveaway”, then your “knitpicking” and “phylosophical” show you’re no expert on languages, either.

  19. en Romaniaban Szulettem,de az anyanyelvem Magyar ,de en Iszraelben Lakok ,de en kulon tisztelettel es halaval,vagyok,mindenkinek aki Beszeli,es olvassa a Magyar nyelvet.meg emlitem, aszt ,hogy eletben maradasomat,is Annank koszonhetem Hogy tudtam Beszelni jol magyarul es romanul.Es meg Egy fonts esemenyt Kel ,hogy leirjak,habar az ujajim mar nem azok ami volt,es allandoan ,kel javitsam a szoveget ,Az a fontos ,tortenet,az
    En eletemben ,hogy megtalaltam aszt a csaladot aki elbujtatot 1944 Ben Budapesten ,a Nyilas Fasisztak leg aljasabb korszakaban Bujtatott Egy 13 eves gyereket e sorok irojat,es Meg Egy asszonyt, akirol aszt tudtam ,hogy falurol jot cseledlany. Es most Jon a tortenet befejezo resze Mindaz Amit leirtam nem tortenthetet volna meg ha Perry Uranyi ,nem tanult volna meg Magyarul ,habar Chikagoban Szuletett,,, O volt az aki olvasta Egy Magyar nyelvu Hirdetest az Internetben,hogy evekota keresem ,az URANY BABAT Budapestrol… Eddig Egy igazi tortenet,a tanulsag,hogy Jo tudni Minel tob nyelvet Beszelni
    ,es OlVASNI,,,,,,,,,,

  24. Tyrkir’s inscription probably said : “Right turn to Budapest.” LOL
    Does anyone understand what a scholarly paper is????

  25. 1. The first thing Google gave me when I searched for this is this article. After some digging I found that there is indeed a rock with some writing on it, but it is not Hungarian at all.
    2. There is a book in the British Museum that’s really old (15-16. century) and yes, it is Hungarian. The Museum’s most valuable book? Hardly. Printing was present in Europe at the time, and the book is not one of a kind.
    3. Didn’t find the study, so I can’t say anything for sure, but I’d say that this is inaccurate. A lot of Hungarian words are borrowed from German or Turkish, recently English. 68% is way too big. (I’m not saying this is a bad thing, all languages are like this, we increase our vocabulary by adopting new words.)
    4. I can’t find most of these people, but fine.
    5. Really? Where? I looked on Google maps, couldn’t find a single one of these (I’m not saying they don’t exist, but please give the location, I’m interested). Also, “alma” is a word we borrowed from the Turks, so anything named after it is not necessarily Hungarian.
    6. Checks out, but his opinion is really subjective, you could say it about a lot of languages.
    7. Checks out. (I didn’t count the noun cases etc., I’ll assume it’s correct.)
    8. True, but a lot of western languages use vowels that we don’t: Ø, ä, etc.
    9. Really? Where did you come up with that? This is highly subjective, you can’t quantify musicality in languages. I looked up a few lists, Hungarian was nowhere to be found, Italian was usually in the 2nd-4th place. Mandarin Chinese was popping up a lot, but as I’ve said, it is really subjective.
    Hungarian poetry is like no other? Again, subjective, and highly debatable.

    People, please stop saying Hungarian is the best language in the world, because it has a lot of problems. It’s way too complex and oftentimes it struggles a lot to express itself in a number of scenarios, and doesn’t help with learning any foreign languages. I’ll give you that the writing system (apart from a few things) is pretty damn good. Also, my biggest problem with the language that it has trouble taking in new words: when I’m talking with a friend about non-everyday things a lot of times we end up using a lot of English words.

  26. Kalo

    If you would speak proper hungarian, you would realise, makes really easy to learn other tongues.
    You google this and that, but dint forget that, the real history of HUNs and Magyars still hidden. For istance we have a 4-5000 years old alphabet, but never nobody used to write down even a phrase. We know that all Magyar books been burned by maria terezia so all our real memories gone.
    With your theory the hungarian language adobt lot if words from german and turk, but languisist say those gapoend other way around.
    I’m laisy to google it right now but you can if you want, there are lots of oppinions about Magyar language one id them is “Hungarian language is tge top product what humans ever created”
    I dont know have you ever realized but hungarian basic words are 3 letters. Just look at your body. Kez/arm lab/leg has/stomach just a few examples because the Hungarian tongue is an inflected language look even the first word of MAGYAR…MAG which means seed which is like nothing in life not random! 😉

  27. Marpio !
    You do not know what you talking about.
    Gabriella explain it to you.
    Next time ask a Hungarian before you post.
    But thanks to read the article..

  29. I agree with everything that Kalo wrote. Every statement of this article is full of vague superficial informations.
    1. There are few types of runic alphabet and what is written on that stone is not Hungarian.
    2. A bit overrated thing…
    3. Hungarian has enormous amount of borrowed words mostly from Slavic languages, then German and Turkic languages.
    4. “The Hungarian linguists, historians, professors have been working on that matter for over than 200 years…” with the rhythms of all these political moods. No, antiquity is an absurd term. Language is usually changing through centuries. Icelandic has been remained same from times of Vikings because of isolation of Iceland. But Hungarian do not live in isolated island.
    5. Other nations use same formations of letters to name other things. In Austria is a village named Fucking.
    6. Personal opinion.
    7. Hard to say which language is most complicated. And every language is unique.
    8. “English has at least 14 different vowel sounds and, depending on the speaker and dialect, maybe more than 20.”
    http://www.slate.com/blogs/lexicon_valley/2014/08/19/aeiou_and_sometimes_y_how_many_english_vowels_and_what_is_a_vowel_anyway.html
    9. It depends on personal opinion. Don’t get me wrong. Slovaks jokingly call Hungarian welding because for them it sounds so.
    Amazing things about Hungarian language that most people don’t know:
    1. Hungarian is finno-ugric language but not similar to other finno-ugric languages in Europe or Asia. Although, it has numerous amount of borrowed words mostly from nations that live around Hungarians. Most of these words are irreplaceable in daily communication. Try to find other words instead of barát, ebéd, puszta, pénz and so on.
    2. There is strong probability that Hungarian was created in interaction of Old Hungarian tribes and native tribes. Aboriginals were majority. Hungarian language was spreading through slow continual assimilation in Kingdom based by St. Stephen. Genetic researches prove this theory, as Hungarians are genetically similar to their neighbors.
    3. Terms Hungarian meant originally inhabitant of Hungarian Kingdom not someone who was speaking Hungarian. ” “Lingua Slavus, natione Hungarus, eruditione Germanus.” – Matthias Bel said about himself.
    4. Official language of Hungarian kingdom was Latin. In 18-th century Latin was replaced by Hungarian.

  30. Greetings from Litvania! Hungarian language (and Greek) is mesmerizing! My language is not bad too, but I dislike the way it is transcribed, too many “ç” letters, if you know what I mean. Tegyvuoja Madjaria.

  31. My dad was born in the U.S., but since my grandparents hadn’t yet learned English when dad was born, Hungarian was his first language. Dad was stationed in Europe with the U.S. Army infantry during WWII, his company traveled throughout Europe, where dad once told me that he was often used as an interpreter, due to his ability to communicate with captured German soldiers etc. Dad rarely spoke Hungarian at home, hence, I never learned it. Whenever dad accidentally hurt himself, or became angry, he would swear in Hungarian for several minutes.

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