language

VIDEO: Jane Fonda speaks Hungarian in this Netflix series

Have you ever heard the two-time Academy Award-winner Jane Fonda speak Hungarian? Here is your chance.

Jane Fonda, the American film icon who won two Academy Awards, seven Golden Globes and several other prestigious awards, spoke Hungarian in a Netflix series. The Hollywood star plays the leading role in the streamer’s Grace and Frankie series with Lily Tomlin. The series is about two ageing women who form an unlikely friendship after their husbands reveal they are in love with each other and plan to get married. The series premiered on Netflix on May 8, 2015, and has seven seasons.

Promotions.hu found the episode titled “The Paprikash” (7th season), in which Jane Fonda speaks Hungarian. Of course, Hungarian viewers already knew what the episode was about: the chicken paprikash, a traditional Hungarian dish.

Chicken paprikash (paprikás csirke or csirkepaprikás in Hungarian) is one of the most popular Hungarian dishes because it has everything that characterises our cuisine: paprika, pepper, onion, garlic, green pepper, tomato, meat and sour cream.

It’s a must-try meal, and you can prepare it following the instructions of THIS article of ours.

Jane Fonda wants to eat a chicken paprikash in the episode, her mother’s paprikash to comfort her. Her pronunciation is not the best since she says something like “paprigázs” instead of paprikash, but we know what she is trying to refer to.

Heroin is best in Hungary?

A friend of hers says in the episode that she had spent some time in Hungary, so the series creators knew paprikash was a typical Hungarian food. Interestingly, she adds that heroin was “incredible” there. Several heroin smugglers were caught in Hungary, for example HERE and HERE.

According to an IMF report, in Hungary, about one-third of the drug addicts and regular consumers take pills (LSD, SPEED, Ecstasy, Amphetamine), 19% take Marijuana, and 14% take Heroin.

Here is the video:

@ldvgnnmr Hungary everywhere #magyar #sorozatokfilmek #netflixseries #hungarianlanguage ♬ eredeti hang – annamari ludvig

Grace and Frankie received mixed reviews upon its debut, but its second and subsequent seasons have been met with a largely positive reception from television critics. It has received several accolades, including five Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy.

Read also:

Famous Hollywood movies shot in Hungary – Read more HERE
Several Hollywood stars to come to Budapest – Details in THIS article

January 13, 2024

VIDEO, PHOTOS: The world’s Easternmost Hungarian village by the Black Sea

The world's Easternmost Hungarian village is near the Black Sea

Nestled a few kilometres from the Black Sea lies Ojtuz, an Eastern Hungarian settlement with a distinctive charm. Here, locals speak an archaic Hungarian dialect, taking pride in their Roman Catholic Church. While they don’t read or write Hungarian, the language is still used in family homes and on the streets. Pulitzer-winning Hungarian journalist Vujity Tvrtko (Szilárd Balogh) recently explored this unique ethnic region.

In a fascinating YouTube video, Tvrtko unveils Ojtuz as more than 1,000 kilometres east of Budapest, near Constanța, Romania’s prominent port. The local Hungarians in this region speak a rare Hungarian dialect, shaped by their roots in Western Moldavia, a region now part of Romania (the Eastern part of Moldavia is an independent state, the Republic of Moldova, where 1/3rd of the population is Russian).

Photo: PrtScr/Youtube

The Hungarian community in Western Moldavia traces its lineage to Szeklers who fled Habsburg oppression in the 18th century. Their ancestors chose a freer albeit much harder life by leaving their motherland and settling near River Szeret in Western Moldova. Thousands of them speak Hungarian even though they do not have Hungarian priests, schools or cultural institutions. Known as csángós, these ethnic Hungarians of Roman Catholic faith reside mostly in the Romanian region of Moldavia, particularly in Bákó (Bacău) County.

Local children receive Hungarian lessons, but challenges arise, as Orthodox priests denounce Hungarian as the language of the devil In this deeply religious community, such criticism weighs heavily, discouraging many from embracing their linguistic heritage.

The ‘founding fathers’ of the world’s Easternmost Hungarian village come from Lujzikalagor, Western Moldavia. This quaint village (Luizi-Călugăra in Romanian) boasts one of the greatest csángó communities in Bákó County, counting 3,553 inhabitants. There, 90% of the residents know an archaic version of the Hungarian language.

Hungarian village of mixed heritage

Post-World War I, these pioneers migrated to Ojtuz, enticed by Romania’s promise of land by the Black Sea. In contrast, Lujzikalagor faced economic hardships. The migration began with three men building the first houses, later joined by over 60 others, with further waves after World War II.

Despite their hardships, Ojtuz boasts a beautiful Roman Catholic church, though masses are held solely in Romanian, a reminder of the linguistic challenges faced by the community. Without Hungarian schools, reading materials or Bibles, the locals manage to preserve their language through everyday interactions. According to Vujity Tvrtko’s report, none of the residents has ever been to Hungary or even Transylvania, home to over one million Hungarians residing mainly in Szeklerland, a region some 3-400 kilometres away.

The cemetery reflects a fusion of Hungarian and Romanian influences, with names like Mihai (Mihály), Pal (Pál), and Chereces (Kerekes) seamlessly coexisting.

With limited employment opportunities, the younger generation seeks jobs abroad, dispersing across Italy, Spain and Great Britain. Homecomings occur during festivities, but the community’s future faces uncertainty. The archaic Hungarian language and its rich cultural tapestry may fade away after one or two generations as nobody will speak Hungarian anymore, only Romanian, Italian, Spanish or English.

Currently, Ojtuz is home to a population of 500, encapsulating a captivating blend of history, language and the resilience of a unique community facing the challenges of modernity.

Read also:

The 17th-century castle of Fülek reborn – Read more and check out the video HERE
HERE is how a Hungarian scientist saved two Nobel Prizes during WWII

December 31, 2023

Arabic Language and Saudi Culture Day in Budapest

Arabic Language and Saudi Culture Day in Hungary

The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia and the Centre for Foreign Language Education and Research of Corvinus University organized the Arabic Language and Saudi Culture Day to celebrate World Arabic Language Day at the University.

Last week, on 12 December, Mr. Ahmed Yahya AlDagreer the Chargé d’Affaires of the Royal Embassy and Dr. József Erdei the Director of the Centre for Foreign Language Education and Research delivered the opening speeches, and we had the honour to listen to the lecture of H.E. Mr. Abdelkarim Hermi the Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia about the Arabic civilisation.

Dr. Kinga Dévényi the Associate professor was giving a fascinating lecture titled Arabic language as the vehicle of civilisation and Ms. Eszter Al-Akrad organised an introductory Arabic language class with student participation.

During the event, the Embassy set up a Saudi tent where some traditional objects of Saudi craftsmanship were exhibited and where the students had the opportunity to experience Saudi hospitality by tasting Saudi coffee and snacks. The Embassy also promoted the “Study in Saudi” programme, which offers international students the opportunity to apply for Saudi scholarships.

There were many activities for the students prepared by Dr. Kinga Dévényi like taking part in the KAHOOT Quiz (Fun facts about the Arabic language), participating in an essay contest and making experience about the Arabic calligraphy and the henna art presented by Arabic artists.

It was a special and unique occasion to understand and experience the diversity and richness of Saudi Culture and the significance of the Arabic language.

Minister: Situation of national minorities in Hungary not affected by difficult ties to motherland

The situation of national minorities in Hungary cannot be negatively affected by a potentially difficult relationship between Hungary and the given motherland, the deputy prime minister in charge of policies for national minorities said on Monday.

Hungary’s Fundamental Law declares that the 13 indigenous national minority groups in the country are part of the Hungarian state and have self-governments, Zsolt Semjén said at his annual hearing before parliament’s committee for national minority communities.

The government aims to have the closest possible ties with the motherlands of Hungary’s ethnic communities, Semjén said, adding that even when there are disagreements, it could not have any sort of negative consequence for the minority groups.

Highlighting the example of the current disputes between Hungary and Ukraine, Semjén said this could not put the Ukrainian community in Hungary at any kind of disadvantage.

If relations with the motherland in question are good and fruitful — as they are in the case of Serbia — it can also benefit the given ethnic community, he said.

Meanwhile, Semjén said government support for ethnic minorities had been increased six-fold, while the number of national minority institutions had risen eight-fold. Whereas in 2010, there were only 12 national minority schools in Hungary, today there are 106, attended by 20,000 students, he said.

The government this year invited bids for a total of HUF 1.3 billion (EUR 3.4 million) in funding for national minorities, and some 1,000 projects worth a combined HUF 2 billion (EUR 5.3 million) have been carried out in the recent period, he said.

As regards key investment projects, he noted the renovation of the Slovak Evangelical church and centre, support for the construction of the Bulgarian education and cultural centre and the construction of a German primary school in Biatorbágy, on the outskirts of Budapest.

Read also:

November 14, 2023

Hungarians rank surprisingly high in English proficiency

The recently unveiled English Proficiency Index has not only reaffirmed the Netherlands’ reign in English proficiency, but has also brought attention to Hungary’s noteworthy position.

Hungary’s respected position in English proficiency

According to Player.hu Hungarians are surprisingly high in the ranking of English learners. The EF EPI is the world’s largest ranking of countries and regions by English skills based on test results of 2.2 million adults in 113 countries and regions. Securing a place in the “High proficiency” category and standing 17th overall among 113 countries, Hungary’s language achievements are impressive. Notably, within Hungary, the city of Pécs emerged as a leading force in English proficiency. Considering Hungary’s placement among a diverse range of countries, it is indeed a commendable achievement. With three lower proficiency categories encompassing more populous nations, Hungary’s standing is a testament to its commitment to mastering the English language.

english proficiency index hungary — Source: EF English Proficiency Index

The Dutch dominance

While the Netherlands continues to dominate the English proficiency rankings, the reasons behind their success may not be immediately apparent. The Dutch Review has outlined some compelling factors, with one surprising revelation: no dubbing of films or TV series. In the Netherlands, English is ingrained in the population from childhood, as they rely on subtitles rather than dubbing. This unique approach contributes to a natural and early exposure to the language.

Other factors behind Dutch proficiency

Interestingly, the absence of dubbing in the Netherlands leads to an unintended consequence: many Dutch individuals become avid fans of long American TV series. While this may seem like a minor side effect, it inadvertently enhances their English language skills, as they become accustomed to the language through extensive viewing. Furthermore, their global thinking, driven by a pragmatic and business-oriented approach, is a key factor.

With a population of 17 million spread over 41,500 km², the Dutch understand the importance of a confident command of English in the global market. Lastly, the linguistic connection between English and Dutch, both belonging to the Germanic group of the Indo-European language family, simplifies the learning process. The similarities provide an advantage, making it easier for the Dutch to grasp English concepts and expressions.

In conclusion, Hungary’s surprising success in English proficiency and the Netherlands’ continued dominance underscore the diverse factors that contribute to a country’s language skills. Whether through historical experiences, unique cultural practices, or linguistic connections, these rankings offer valuable insights into the dynamics of language acquisition on a global scale. You can read more of our articles about languages HERE.

November 14, 2023

Did the word “ogre” use to mean Hungarian?

There has long been a debate surrounding the origins of the word “ogre” and whether it has Hungarian roots. Did it used to mean Hungarian or is this theory just a coincidence?

Debunking the Hungarian connection

TikTok creator Turan Explorer made a video discussing the Hungarian connection to the word “ogre”. The theory proposes that during the initial incursions of Pagan Hungarians into Europe, their devastating raids led to widespread beliefs that they were monstrous entities, giving rise to the term “ogre”. Rumors circulated, painting the Hungarians as the scourge of God, cannibals, and harbingers of the apocalypse — akin to the infamous Huns. A common phrase from that era, “De saggitus Hungarorum, libere nos domine” (“Lord save us from the arrows of the Hungarians”), further fueled this narrative. The Dictionary of the Academy of France even attributes the word’s roots to the Hungarians, though this viewpoint is fiercely disputed.

Orcus and the Etruscan connection

Contrary to the Hungarian theory, many historians contend that the term “ogre” and its derivative “orc” find their origins in the Etruscan mythology surrounding the deity Orcus, known for consuming human flesh. The dispute gains traction when we delve into the earliest usage of “ogre”, credited to the French author Chrétien de Troyes. This historical connection challenges the Hungarian narrative, suggesting a more mythical origin rooted in ancient deities.

Chrétien de Troyes and the Legend of Lancelot

New scholarship adds a fascinating twist to the tale, proposing that Chrétien de Troyes might have woven the legend of Lancelot as political propaganda during the marriage of the French Queen Margaret and the Hungarian king Béla III. In this narrative, Lancelot is an implicit reference to the Hungarian king László, aiming to impress visiting Hungarian dignitaries. This theory connects the word “ogre” to a mixture of political intrigue and mythical storytelling rather than to the Hungarians themselves.

British myths and Tolkien’s influence

Interestingly, Chrétien de Troyes may have drawn inspiration from British myths about creatures residing on the island of Britain before human settlement. A comparable term, “Orcneas”, appears in Beowulf, influencing J.R.R. Tolkien when crafting the concept of orcs in “The Lord of the Rings”. Tolkien and other literary experts believe that the idea of orcs traces back to an Indo-European mythological concept, echoing through millennia.

Beyond Hungarian raids

In assessing these varied explanations, it becomes clear that the argument associating “ogre” with the Hungarians during their European raids is not conclusive. The word’s roots seem to meander through myth, ancient deities, and political maneuvering, rather than a direct link to historical events. For those intrigued by deeper explorations into Hungarian history, mythology, and theories of origin, the TikTok account “Turan Explorer” offers a captivating journey.

For more interesting linguistic facts, read our article about why Hungarian is the strangest language in Europe or English words that are derived from the Hungarian language.

November 13, 2023

Philippine bus driver arrives in Budapest after an intensive Hungarian language course

23 Filipino bus drivers have arrived in Budapest for cultural and professional training before starting in their new job.

As we reported earlier, Arrivabus Ltd. is actively seeking to hire expatriates to fill the labour shortage. The 23 drivers from the Philippines will soon begin their work in Budapest.

The company, which is heavily involved in the capital, has chosen the Southeast Asian signallers with the assistance of a local partner. The selected drivers have already arrived in Hungary and are scheduled to start work in January.

In the Philippines, English is one of the two official languages, so they are proficient in this language in addition to their native tongue. However, there is still an issue as many Hungarians do not speak any foreign language, particularly among the elderly.

The 23 newly recruited drivers have started their preparations for working in Budapest. Over the next few weeks, they will undergo an intensive Hungarian language course, alongside cultural and professional training.

For the time being, their employment contracts are for two years. They have left their families back at home in a bid to earn more money in Hungary. According to Arriva, they will receive a net monthly salary of HUF 434,000 (EUR 1,146.31), as reported by 24.hu.

November 7, 2023

This is why Hungarian is the strangest language in Europe

According to linguistic history research, the Hungarian language has been independent for 2500-3000 years. The survival of Hungarian is almost unprecedented on the continent, just as the survival of the Hungarian state born in the South-East was not a matter of course.

“When we tell our history, the most important thing is to be authentic and, as we say, to convey the most up-to-date knowledge according to the current state of science,” said documentary filmmaker Krisztián Bárány, speaking about the film The Rise of the Árpáds.

Together with his fellow artists, Bárány works on less well-known or controversial subjects. These can help promote joined-up thinking. These days, many people are no longer bound by “talking head” documentaries, even if the story itself is interesting. However, a live-action approach, which also shows the material environment and way of life of the time, can be digested by the masses.

Visuals give you more and more impact than 20 pages of text, and they also open up other perspectives more effectively.

For example, in the school presentations of the film In Search of the Holy Crown and our Coronation Treasures, students were given questions to answer, which they could use to further develop their knowledge according to their own interests.

The Hungarian language is unique in Europe

According to the history we know today, the history of the Hungarians begins with Álmos and Árpád at the end of the 9th century. However, language historians can look back even further, because Hungarian has been a language for 2,500-3,000 years, which means that it was separated from the last “language relative” at that time and has not been split off since.

By comparison, the Czech and Slovak diverged just a few hundred years ago. But the modern Romance languages also started to become independent between 1000 and 1500 years ago. There is no link between the independence of a language and national or ethnic unity, adds historian Balázs Sudár.

However, the Hungarian language certainly became important in the Carpathian Basin: behind the Latin literacy of the Middle Ages, we can recognise a Hungarian mother tongue – similar signs suggest that the mother tongue of Mátyás Hunyadi was Hungarian.

An important indicator, however, is that we now speak Hungarian, and its survival as a language in its own right, as an unrelated “immigrant” language in the area, is almost unprecedented in Europe, writes 24.hu.

September 26, 2023

Ukrainian school principal to abolish rights of Hungarians: Hungarian language to be eliminated

In Ukraine, the new headmaster of a Transcarpathian secondary school wants to abolish the Hungarian language and take steps to Ukrainianise education.

New principal against Hungarians

The Ferenc Rákóczi II Secondary School in Transcarpathia has just changed its headmaster. The new headmistress, Marija Pauk, is taking measures to gradually eliminate the Hungarian language and teachers and to make education more lifelong.

The former director, István Schink, was dismissed overnight at the beginning of 2023 without explanation, index.hu reports. The chair of the Hungarian Cultural Association of Transcarpathia (KMKSZ) protested in a statement that the city council had appointed a director with no ties to either the Hungarian community or the school.

Krisztián Molnár, a teacher at the school, said that the headmaster was replaced overnight. In connection with the Ukrainian language law, Krisztián Molnár said at the time that it was possible that he would have to teach his students in Ukrainian next year. The appointment of a new headmaster could be part of the restructuring of the Hungarian school.

Hungarian education banned

The Ferenc Rákóczi II Secondary School reported in a Facebook post published on Thursday that the new principal is indeed working to undermine Hungarian education.

“At our trade union meeting, the appointed director and her deputy indicated that their short-term goal is to Ukrainianise the school, to teach Hungarian as a foreign language, to start a Ukrainian first class from September, and to teach some of the subjects in Ukrainian,” the Facebook post reads.

The post describes that through the strong protest and united stand of their teaching staff, they have managed to ensure that for the time being no Ukrainian-language class will start and the language of instruction will remain Hungarian, but it is now clear that “the city administration’s plan is to end Hungarian education in our school as soon as possible”.

Mandiner.hu notes that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Katalin Novak that what the members of the Ukrainian minority in Hungary receive, they will give to the members of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine.

August 31, 2023

These are the most difficult Hungarian words for foreigners to pronounce

Hungarian is often said to be one of the most difficult languages to learn and to pronounce. Sometimes even we Hungarians struggle with the pronunciation of some of our words and expressions. Let us introduce you to the Hungarian words that foreigners find the hardest to pronounce.

As Hungarian is considered one of the most difficult languages in the world to learn, it is completely understandable that beginners sometimes fail to pronounce certain words correctly.

Noizz reminds us of the situation when we are trying to teach a foreigner the word “egészségedre” (“cheers), but they can’t imitate the pronunciation even after the fifth hearing.

It is, of course, one of the most difficult words to pronounce. The list doesn’t seem that far-fetched: it is full of phrases with a lot of consonants or even a lot of sz-letters (“sz” is pronounced as “s”).

viszontlátásra (“goodbye”)
egészségedre (“cheers”/”bless you”)
magánnyugdíjpénztár (“private pension fund”)
bakancszokni (“boots socks”)
használtruha-kereskedés (“second-hand clothing shop”)
liszteszsák (“flour sack”)
mézeskalácssütés (“gingerbread baking”)
cukroszacskó (“sugar bag”)
rizsszem (“grain of rice”)
uzsiszsák (“lunch bag”, full “uzsonnászsák”)
csütörtök (“Thursday”)
tűzoltóság (“fire department”)

Bonus: Megszentségteleníthetetlenségeskedéseitekért – the longest Hungarian word with 44 letters. It approximately means “for your [plural] continued behaviour as if you could not be desecrated”.

What is the Hungarian word or expression that you struggle with the most? Let us know in the comments!

August 19, 2023

Unique free language learning opportunity for foreigners in Budapest

Mira Ház (Mira Intercultural Community) is an outstanding organisation in Budapest. It is one of the few places in the country where refugees and immigrants can learn Hungarian for free. Children can attend various tutoring sessions, and they can participate in a variety of integration programmes. These programmes include origami workshops, concerts and special community evenings that aim to bring people together and make them learn about each other’s culture.

Mira Ház

24.hu wrote that refugees arriving in Hungary are entitled to one hundred Hungarian language lessons due to their protection status. However, no government body organises these lessons. Mira Ház, or Mira Intercultural Community, helps refugees and immigrants with integration and finding a community. On top of that, they provide access to Hungarian language learning. Eszter Kisgyura, the coordinator of Mira Ház, has first-hand experience of the challenges of living abroad, which gives her the inspiration to help people overcome the initial difficulties when arriving in a new country. She lived in various countries herself including Uganda, Rwanda, India and the Netherlands, which helped her gain a high level of multicultural awareness that she puts into practise every day at work.

Mira Ház holds intercultural nights for its members, but there are plenty of other fun activities too. Eszter says:

Officially, there are five of us working here, but we don’t rely only on our own effort, we are a community that equally involves all of its members. If someone wants to practise Chinese meditation, or a Ukrainian member wants to try glass painting, or perhaps an Indian person wants to start a knitting workshop, we all try to make it happen together as a team.

The members

At the moment, there are roughly 300-500 active members at Mira Ház. These are the people who visit the events regularly, organise activities, as well as engage in voluntary work. One of the most active members of the community is Reza Sayed Mustafa. He arrived in Hungary in 2014 and started learning the language right away. Now, he is proud of his adept Hungarian language skills. He has been volunteering at the organisation since 2016. He organises many programmes, and on top of that, he is the coordinator of Mira’s football team.

Mira’s work in building a community

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, there has been an increased demand for family activities. Therefore, Mira Ház makes sure to hold weekly events to entertain the little ones and their parents. Sadly, the Covid-19 pandemic temporarily brought the organisation to a standstill, so they had to recruit fresh energetic new faces as volunteers. Today, they have a big enough staff to teach Hungarian to many Ukrainian children and tutor them to prepare them for school. Many people visit Mira Ház for the sake of learning the local language. They keep coming back as they say the organisation feels like a safe haven amidst all the difficulties and sorrow of losing their homes. Apart from that, they enjoy the great community atmosphere too. Besides, Mira Ház not only provides solution to the scarce language learning opportunities foreigners often face in the country, but it also removes the barriers to access to adequate information. At Mira, members can share useful tidbits with each other, which helps them tackle common everyday issues and obstacles in Hungary.

August 14, 2023

Did you know? There is a common Hungarian word that will make every Englishman and American blush

This Hungarian word will make English speakers blush. How can Hungarians say such a thing in public?

Promotions wrote that there is often a great deal of confusion when first hearing a foreign language, which you do not speak a word of. When we first encounter a new language, we usually try to associate some words with the language spoken by us. Sometimes, these words might mean the same thing, but they can be completely misleading too. There is no doubt about Hungarian being a very intricate and beautiful language. According to experts, it is one of the hardest languages to learn in the world. Foreigners might think that it sounds a bit odd, yet charming.

The confusing Hungarian word

Foreigners tend to note that there is a word that Hungarians use quite often and it sounds like something that you would not say in public. Of course, this word is completely innocent, it is used for greeting friends and such. To English speakers, it is funny as it sounds like an intimate English word. The famous American comedian Russell Peters also mentioned this during one of his stand-up performances. He asked the audience if there was anyone who was Hungarian. A girl came forward, and the comedian asked her how to say “kiss” in Hungarian. She answered “csók” first, but that was not the answer the comedian was looking for. Although, the word “csók” sounds like “choke” which can be funny in certain situations.

Then the girl said the other Hungarian word for “kiss” which is “puszi”. The crowd instantly burst into laughter. The word is pronounced as “pussy”. It is quite funny to imagine Hungarians saying “puszi-puszi” to their mothers on the phone when saying goodbye. However, it is just an innocent word that has nothing to do with ladyparts. You can see an example of this in the video down below:

Further misleading words

Many foreigners think that the Hungarian way of saying hi, “szia”, sounds similar to “See ya”. This might not be as misleading, as their meanings are not completely different. However, “fák” meaning trees, sounds like the most common English swearword. “Fakanál”, the big wooden spoon that Hungarians use to stir their food sounds even worse than “fák”…

However, there are English words that can be misleading to Hungarians as well. The most common word is “cookie” which sounds like “kuki”, a Hungarian slang for male genitalia. The popular name “Billy” is pronounced similarly to “bili”, which means chamberpot in Hungarian. Even the name of the former US President, Barack Obama, is funny for Hungarians. In Hungarian “barack” literally translates as “peach”.

Have you ever encountered such words while visiting Hungary? Let us know in the comments!

August 3, 2023

Is Hungarian Europe’s least romantic language?

A new study conducted by language learning app Preply reveals the personality profile of 16 European languages:

● Hungarians might be left tongue-tied when it comes to love, and Hungarians google the least about the romantic topics in Europe
● The Hungarian language is the 5th most expressive about sports in Europe. It boasts the second best google searches for the topic after Czech.
● Wanderlust daydreams: Though Hungarians do not greatly speak about travel as it ranks 10th, they sure do tweet about it more with their second best ranking tweets.
● Love, nature, art and history were the least expressed topics within Hungarian.

By analyzing various dictionaries and thesauruses, tweets and google search trends, Preply has analyzed how expressive different European languages are about 13 different topics, ranging from everything from health, to fashion and technology.

By combining all the factors in the study, the only topic which Hungarian ranked top for in the study was for sports, while most topics ranked lowly. True to their active way of life, Hungarians google about sport mostly, followed by searches on fashion (to no surprise) and then health. Education, nature and history were the least searched topics. By using media monitoring software and comparing all tweets per topic for the past month, proportionally to the number of Hungarian-speaking twitter users, Hungarians tweet most about travel but less so about love and family.

Overall findings Portuguese is Europe’s language of love, and has more than 277 ways to express affection… only German has more (with 289 words!) although they tweet and google the topic of love less frequently

The most foody language isn’t French or Italian… but German! German’s tweet about Food the 2nd most, have the 2nd largest variety of food related words and Google the topic of food more than anyone else Other findings include that Danish is the sportiest language, French the most nature inclined, and that English is the most expressive language around topics of health, education, travel and history. You can find out more information by checking out the interactive tool and blog page or getting in touch for country specific statistics.

Do you want to start learning Hungarian? Here are some basic expressions

July 17, 2023

PHOTOS: Millenia-old charter with the oldest Hungarian text has been relocated

The Founding charter of the Tihany Abbey Hungary

The transfer of the ancient document was carried out with special care. The Pannonhalma Archabbey, where the Founding charter of the Abbey of Tihany was kept until now, hired a specialised security company for the procedure. You can have a look at the important relic in the Abbey of Tihany until 31 August.

According to Múlt-kor, the founding charter dates back to 1055 and contains the first written Hungarian words. It was kept in the Pannonhalma Archabbey for 500 years. The pages were written on parchment, so they need special protection. It is not only a symbol for the Benedictine monk community of Tihany but also for the entire Hungarian nation.

In a statement, the abbey expressed its commitment to present the history of the charter, the monastery, the abbey’s estates, its people and their colourful artwork to the wider public during the summer. Needless to say, the charter will serve as the centrepiece of the interactive exhibition, which is now open to visitors. The artefact was installed in a separate room, displayed in an artfully designed case, which is equipped with special lighting.

Charter with the oldest written Hungarian words

The document was written in Latin and contains 58 Hungarian words. A few examples are Fehérvár (Székesfehérvár mentioned as FEHERUUARU), hadiút (military road mentioned as HODU UTU) and vár (fort used as UARU). Do you want to learn some basic Hungarian? HERE you can master some useful words and phrases.

The charter was signed by King Andrew I (1046-1060). The co-signers were leaders bearing Slavic, Hungarian and German names. That makes the document a unique symbol of how different nations and cultures co-existed in Hungary a millennium ago. Interestingly, the king’s remains were found in the crypt of the Benedictine Abbey of Tihany.

The museum and archives of Tihany prepare with unique programmes in July and August to present the charter to the public. For more information, you can visit their official website. History buffs should not miss our earlier post written about a rare, 500-year-old Ottoman-era treasure found in Hungary. Click HERE to read the full story.

June 18, 2023

What are the best summer camps abroad?

Good weather is here, there are only 1,5 months left from the school year and summer break is getting closer day by day. Schoolkids can’t wait for school to be over; however, for parents planning their kids’ summer programme is often a headache. There are thousands of summer camps they can send their children to, yet, it is hard to make a decision and one can easily get lost in the array of options. In our article, we try to help parents with summarizing what summer camps are available abroad.

When it comes to summer programmes outside of Hungary, the first thing we need to decide is the destination. This can be determined either by the foreign language one wants to improve – English, German, Italian, Spanish or French, or the type of activity a person would like to spend his time with. There are several language camps available in the UK, but also in Spain, Malta, and Cyprus. For those willing to work on their German, Italian or French language skills, schools offer summer options in Germany, Austria, Italy and France. There are also many opportunities for students who wish to travel overseas for the summer holiday: camps in the US or in Canada. Different countries offer different experiences. For example, those who prefer seaside destinations with swimming, sailing and surfing as activity programs should choose Malta, Cyprus or the French or American coast. Students who love spending time outdoors would find amazing opportunities in the Austrian Alps. No matter what one prefers, there is a camp for everyone.

It is also important to note that there are several different kinds of summer camps. The most general one is the „language + fun” type of camp, where children have their language classes in the morning – in groups according to age and language level, and activity programmes in the afternoons and in the evenings (sports, creative and performing arts, city visits, hiking etc.). This type of programme is suitable for anyone who would like to improve their language skills, travel, have fun and make friends from all over the world. Those who already have a good command of English and have a specific interest, can also find something for themselves. There are summer courses with special topics like Sustainable Futures, Mini-MBA programmes, Fashion Design, Architecture, Business, Digitalisation and so on. These are perfect for those who would like to get immersed in a certain topic, or who would like to continue their studies at the university in a similar field. During these courses, participants improve their 21st century skills – collaboration, critical thinking, communication and creativity. For families who are thinking of sending their child to an international school program, there are Academic and IB camps available. Student can try what it feels like to be in an international school environment for a few weeks, before starting their studies abroad. 16-17 year-old teenagers who are planning to study abroad at university, Cambridge and IELTS language exam preparation courses are a great opportunity. Language courses for adults are also available at all levels, and in many languages.

No matter the age group, the language, the level and the acitivites, everyone can find a great summer programme to spend the summer in a useful, yet fun way. If anyone has trouble finding the right courses, Baltic Council for International Education is ready to help with any kind of summer school or camp application abroad (BALTIC COUNCIL – Külföldi oktatás).

May 2, 2023

Do you want to start learning Hungarian? Here are some basic expressions

Are you considering learning Hungarian? Although it is certainly a tricky language, there are some basic expressions that will help you get by. Have a look at our article and you’ll see that you’ll pick up the local lingo in no time!

Greetings in Hungarian

Greetings and introductions are essential when learning a new language. Therefore, you might want to start by memorising the basic Hungarian greetings. In the Hungarian language, you greet people by saying Jó napot! or Szia!/Sziasztok!

Note that Szia! (singular form) or Sziasztok! (plural form) are considered informal while Jó napot! is more formal. If you want to learn how to greet people at different times of the day, here are some pointers:

Jó reggelt! = Good morning!
Jó estét! = Good evening!
Jó éjszakát! = Good night!

However, you cannot go wrong by sticking to Jó napot!, locals will appreciate your effort.

Self-introductions

You have to introduce yourself quite often when you are staying in a foreign country, so these easy expressions will certainly come in handy. Similarly to English, there are two basic ways to say who you are:

Anna vagyok = I’m Anna
Annának hívnak = My name is Anna

In Hungarian, you use two different verbs to introduce yourself, either the verb “to be” (lenni) or the verb “call” (hívni). If you only want to learn one way of introducing yourself, the first one (Anna vagyok = I’m Anna) is recommended as Hungarians use it more commonly in everyday language.

How to use the verb “to be” = lenni

In Hungarian, the verb “to be” is used quite often, therefore, it is critical to know it by heart. Here is the conjugation of the verb “to be” (lenni) in Hungarian:

Én vagyok = I am
Te vagy = You are
Ő van = He/she/it is
Mi vagyunk = We are
Ti vagytok = You are
Ők vannak = They are

As you can see, the third form singular is an easy one, as the Hungarian language is genderless, meaning there is only one pronoun. You should use ő for both he and she.

Once you have mastered the conjugation of “to be” (lenni), you can learn some easy sentences using this verb.

30 éves vagyok = I’m 30 years old
Tanuló vagyok = I’m a student
Éhes vagyok = I’m hungry
Boldog vagyok = I’m happy

April 21, 2023

Degree requirements at leading Hungarian university to be abolished

This year, the Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) will no longer require language exams for those wishing to graduate. Professional organisations are concerned about the decision.

No language exam required to graduate university

From now on, it is recommended, but not compulsory, to take a language exam to obtain a diploma at ELTE. The decision was announced by the university a few months after Parliament gave higher education institutions the power to decide on the matter, RTL Híradó reports. “Students who are graduating now, in the autumn or in the summer, will no longer have to have a language exam certificate,” Lénárd Darázsi, the university’s vice-rector, told the channel.

Read also: Is this the turnaround in the Hungarian property market? Experts are positive!

Is this really a good idea?

Tamás Légrádi, President of the Professional Association of Language Schools (Nyelviskolák Szakmai Egyesülete), said that it is almost inconceivable to get a job without a language exam. Moreover, he said, a diploma could become worthless on the labour market without a language certificate. The news report also mentions an earlier Eurostat survey which showed that Hungarians are the least willing to learn foreign languages among the young people surveyed in the EU.

A translation engine was created for 23 Finno-Ugric languages, including Hungarian

An Estonian translation program is specialised in Finno-Ugric languages, including Hungarian. Researchers at the University of Tartu’s Institute of Computer Science have added Livonian, Komi, Mansi and 14 other Finno-Ugric languages to the university’s machine translation engine.

From now on, the Hungarian language is also available in the translation engine

Researchers at the University of Tartu Institute of Computing have added 14 other Finno-Ugric languages to the university’s machine translation engine, reports player.hu. “Most of these languages have become available for the first time on a public translation engine, as they are not part of Google Translate and other similar services”, the university said. The translation engine supports a total of 23 Finno-Ugric languages.

Read also: Want to sound more like a native Hungarian? Here are some tips!

Among the languages are:

Estonian
Finnish
Livonian
Vót
Karjalian
Lud Karjalian
Ludian
Vepsze
Northern Sami
Southern Sami
Inari Sami
Szkolt Sami
Lule Sami
Komi
Komi-Permian
Udmurt
Erza
Moksa
Manysi
Khanti
Hungarian

You can help by editing translations

The research team is now asking speakers and researchers of these languages to help with translations themselves to improve the quality of the program. You can help by editing the translations on translate.ut.ee if you know a given language really well. Texts written in these languages such as poems, articles, books and the like are also of great help and can be sent to pi**@ta******.ai.

According to Lisa Yankovskaya, a natural language processing researcher at the University of Tartu’s Computer Science Institute, feedback is needed to improve the quality of translation. This is becasue many of these languages have extremely limited resources for creating translation systems. For example, in Hungarian, the amount of digitally accessible data is small.

Read also: 5 reasons to learn Hungarian

The translation engine is open to all users

The goal of the translation engine is to preserve endangered languages. However, Yankovskaya noted that some fields may need machine translation to understand texts without learning the language. The translation system is open to all users, and the software is open source.

Read alsoWhat languages have influenced the Hungarian language?

March 24, 2023