Abstract
This article is a contribution to the hitherto scant literature on learning a historical minority language and on language ideologies in the context of a study abroad program in Hungary, Debrecen. I analyse the language ideologies of the decision makers in Hungary and in the Debrecen Summer School in relation to the teaching of Hungarian to the neighboring peoples. Drawing on interactional data of participants from Romania, the perspective of learning Hungarian as a historical minority language is examined. The present article combines a historical approach with language ideologies by focusing on an institution offering language education. Language ideologies are presented as they appear in the larger historical discourses, contemporary documents, and media interviews. I briefly outline the major turning points in the history of the institution which also reflects the changing language ideologies and cultural politics of Hungary. The qualitative discourse analysis of interviews and the conclusion of this ethnographic study demonstrate that language ideological positions in relation to the teaching and learning of Hungarian have been firmly located in historical and cultural contexts. Discourse analysis of various data demonstrates that, on the one hand, the course providers have espoused competing ideologies of who the learners should be as well as how to present the country and the culture, while, on the other hand, showing that the learners have had to negotiate prejudice and stereotype rooted in discourses about the often burdened history.
Funding statement: Funding: I gratefully acknowledge funding for this research through the University of Jyväskylä, CIMO, and Svenska Kulturfonden awarded to me in 2012–13.
Symbol Key
Transcription symbols
- =
latched to the previous talk
- (0.4)
measured pause
- (.)
micro-pause less than 0.2 sec
- @
change of voice
- well-
cut off of the preceding sound
- ?
question intonation
- ,
continuing intonation
- .
falling intonation
- ↑
rising intonation
- []
overlapping talk
- italics
an utterance in Hungarian
- XX
masking of proper names
References
Azkue, Jokin & Perales, Joshua.2005. The teaching of Basque to adults. International Journal of the Sociology of Language174. 73–83.10.1515/ijsl.2005.2005.174.73Search in Google Scholar
Atkinson, Dwight.2005. Situated qualitative research and second language writing. In Paul K.Matsuda & TonySilva (eds.), Second language writing research: Perspectives on the process of knowledge construction, 49–64. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.Search in Google Scholar
Blackledge, Adrian.2002. ‘What sort of people can look at a chicken and think dofednod?’: Language, ideology and nationalism in public discourse. Multilingua21. 197–226.Search in Google Scholar
Brogden, Lace Marie. 2009. Francois, f/Fransask-qui? Franco-quoi? Constructions identitaires d‘un enseignant en formation en situation linguistique minoritaire. Canadian Modern Language Review/La Revue Canadienne des Langues Vivantes (CMLR)66(1). 73–99.Search in Google Scholar
Block, David.2007. Second language identities. London: Continuum.Search in Google Scholar
Blommaert, Jan.2006. Language ideology. In KeithBrown (ed.), Encyclopaedia of language and linguistics, 510–522. Oxford: Elsevier.10.1016/B0-08-044854-2/03029-7Search in Google Scholar
Blommaert, Jan & Dong,Jie.2010. Ethnographic fieldwork: A beginner’s guide. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.10.21832/9781847692962Search in Google Scholar
Cavagnoli, Stefania & FrancescaNardin.1999. Second language acquisition in South Tyrol: Difficulties, motivations, expectations. Multilingua18. 17–45.10.1515/mult.1999.18.1.17Search in Google Scholar
Dudics, Emese.2003. Milyen nyelven érzünk? [In what language do we feel?]Nyári Egyetem (1). 8.Search in Google Scholar
Gal, Susan.2006. Language, its stakes and its effects. In Robert E.Goodin & CharlesTilly (eds.), The Oxford handbook of contextual political analysis, 376–391. Oxford: Oxford University Press.10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199270439.003.0020Search in Google Scholar
Gal, Susan.2008. Hungarian as a minority language. In GuusExtra & DurkGorter (eds.), Multilingual Europe: Facts and policies, 207–232. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.Search in Google Scholar
Gal, Susan.2011. Polyglot nationalism. Alternative perspectives on language in 19th century Hungary. Langage Et Société136 (2). 31–34.10.3917/ls.136.0031Search in Google Scholar
Garcia, Ofelia.2007. Foreword. In SinfreeMakoni & AlastairPennycook (eds.), Disinventing and reconstructing languages, xi–xv. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.Search in Google Scholar
Geertz, Clifford.2000 (1973). The interpretation of cultures. New York: Basic Books.Search in Google Scholar
Hashimoto, Hiroko.1993. Language acquisition of an exchange student within the homestay environment. Journal of Asian Pacific Communication4(4). 209–224.Search in Google Scholar
Heller, Monica.2001. Discourse and interaction. In Deborah T.Schiffrin & Heidi E.Hamilton (eds.), The handbook of discourse analysis, 250–264. Oxford: Blackwell.10.1002/9780470753460.ch14Search in Google Scholar
Heller, Monica.2007. Distributed knowledge, distributed power: A sociolinguistics of structuration. Text & Talk27 (5–6). 633–653.Search in Google Scholar
Heller, Monica.2008. Doing Ethnography. In L.Wei & M.Moyer (eds.), The Blackwell Guide to Research Methods in Bilingualism and Multilingualism, 249–262. Oxford: Blackwell.10.1002/9781444301120.ch14Search in Google Scholar
Heller, Monica.2011. Paths to post-nationalism: A critical ethnography of language and identity. New York: Oxford University Press.Search in Google Scholar
Jaworska, Sylvia.2009. Border crossings: The German language in Poland: The eternal foe and the wars on words. In JennyCarl & PatrickStevenson (eds.), Language, discourse and identity in central Europe: The german language in a multilingual space, 51–72. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.10.1057/9780230241664_3Search in Google Scholar
Kádár, Edit. 2008. Az erdélyi nyelvészeti kutatások jelenlegi helyzete [The currents state of Transylvanian linguistic research]. Kolozsvár: Kolozsvári Akadémiai Bizottság Nyelvtudományi Szakbizottság. www.sztanyi.ro/download/ErdelyiNyelveszetiKutatasok.pdf (accessed 18 November 2014).Search in Google Scholar
Kinginger, Celeste.2009. Language learning and study abroad: A critical reading of research. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.10.1057/9780230240766Search in Google Scholar
Kiss, Attila.2012. Hungarian as a second language in Oradea/Nagyvárad: Cultural reflexions and language ideologies. In MonokIstván (ed.), Transition and difference: Hungarian perspectives on east and central European studies. Symposium for PhD Students, 7th International Congress of Hungarian Studies, Cluj-Napoca, 2011, 279–293. Budapest: International Association for Hungarian Studies.Search in Google Scholar
Kiss, Attila.2013. A magyar mint második nyelv tanításának nehézségei és sikerei Nagyváradon. [The difficulties and successes of teaching Hungarian in Oradea]. In OrsolyaNádor (ed.), THL2: The Journal of Teaching Hungarian as a Foreign Language (1–2). 97–115.Search in Google Scholar
Laihonen, Petteri.2008. Language ideologies in interviews: A conversation analysis approach. Journal of Sociolinguistics12 (5). 668–693.10.1111/j.1467-9841.2008.00387.xSearch in Google Scholar
Lantolf, P. James & AnetaPavlenko. 2001. (S)econd (L)anguage (A)ctivity Theory: Understanding second language learners as people. In Michael P.Breen (ed.), Learner contributions to language learning: New directions in research, 141–58. London: Longman.Search in Google Scholar
Lawson, Max.1995. The International People’s College, Helsingor, Denmark: Seven decades of peace education. Peace education miniprints 71. http://search.proquest.com/docview/62615859?accountid=11774 (accessed 18 November 2014).Search in Google Scholar
Long, Michael.1997. Construct validity in SLA research: A response to Firth and Wagner. Modern Language Journal81 (3). 318–323.10.1111/j.1540-4781.1997.tb05487.xSearch in Google Scholar
Mar-Molinero, Clare. 2006. The European linguistic legacy in a global era: Linguistic imperialism, Spanish and the Instituto Cervantes. In ClareMar-Molinero & PatrickStevenson (eds.), Language ideologies, policies and practices: Language and the future of Europe, 58–76. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.10.1057/9780230523883_6Search in Google Scholar
Marton, Enikő & LászlóVincze. 2011. Tanuljuk-e a másik nyelvet?: Megértés, attitűdök és az egymás nyelve iránti érdeklődés erdélyi magyar és román fiatalok körében [Are we studying each others’ languages?: Comprehension, attitudes and interest towards each others’ language among Hungarian and Romanian youth]. Modern Nyelvoktatás17(2–3). 101–107.Search in Google Scholar
May, Stephen.2012. Language and minority rights: Ethnicity, nationalism and the politics of language. New York: Routledge.Search in Google Scholar
McEwan-Fujita, Emily. 2010. Ideology, affect, and socialization in language shift and revitalization: The experiences of adults learning Gaelic in the Western Isles of Scotland. Language in Society39: 27–64.Search in Google Scholar
Menard-Warwick, Julia & DeborahPalmer. 2012. Bilingual development in study-abroad journal narratives: Three case studies from a short-term program in Mexico. Multilingua31 (4). 381–412.10.1515/multi-2012-0018Search in Google Scholar
Molnár, Szabolcs. 2000. Megjegyzések a hungarológiáról Bukarestből [Notes about Hungarian studies from Bucharest], 210–214. In GyörgyTverdota (ed.), Hungarológia, 2–3. Budapest: Nemzetközi Hungarológiai Központ.Search in Google Scholar
Mungiu-Pippidi, Alina. 1999. Tansilvania subiectivă [Subjective Transylvania]. București: Humanitas.Search in Google Scholar
Murphy-Lejeune, Elisabeth. 2002. Student mobility and narrative in Europe: The new strangers. New York: Routledge.10.4324/9780203167038Search in Google Scholar
Murvai, Olga.2010, 2010-08-06. Búvárkodás szavak között. Krónika. www.kronika.ro/index.php?action=open&res=41000 (accessed 10 May 2012).Search in Google Scholar
Myers, Greg.2004. Matters of opinion: Talking about public issues. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.10.1017/CBO9780511486708Search in Google Scholar
Némedi, Lajos. 1988. Emlékek, adatok és gondolatok: A Debreceni Nyári Egyetem hatvan esztendejéről 1927–1987 [Recollections, data and thoughts: About the 60 years of the Debrecen Summer School]. Debrecen: Tudományos Ismeretterjesztő Társulat.Search in Google Scholar
Norton, Bonny.2000. Identity and language learning: Gender, ethnicity and educational change. Harlow: Longman.Search in Google Scholar
Péntek, János. 2002. Örökség és kihívás. Az erdélyi Magyar nyelvtudomány a század- és ezredfordulón [Heritage and challenge. Transylvanian Linguistics at the turn of the century and the millenium]. In VilmosTánczos, GyöngyvérTőkés, IstvánMoldován & AndreaGóczán (eds.), Tizenkét év: Összefoglaló tanulmányok az erdélyi Magyar tudományos kutatások 1990–2001 közötti eredményeiről. I, 15–50. Cluj-Napoca/Kolozsvár: Scientia.Search in Google Scholar
Phipps, Alison.2007. Learning the arts of linguistic survival: Languaging, tourism, life. Clevedon: Channel View Publications.10.21832/9781845410551Search in Google Scholar
Pujolar, Joan & Gonzales, Isaac.2013. Linguistic “mudes” and the de-ethnicization of language choice in Catalonia. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 16 (2), 138–152.Search in Google Scholar
Recensământul populației și al locuințelor2011. http://www.recensamantromania.ro/rezultate-2/ (accessed 18 November 2014).Search in Google Scholar
Résztvevők megoszlása országok szerint. 1996. [Distribution of participants according to countries]. Nyári Egyetem, 1996 (2). 6.Search in Google Scholar
Résztvevőkországok szerint. 1999. [Participants by countries]. Nyári Egyetem, 1999 (2). 13.Search in Google Scholar
Rindler Schjerve, Rosita & EvaVetter. 2012. European multilingualism: Current perspectives and challenges. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.10.21832/9781847697363Search in Google Scholar
Scollon, Ronald & SuzanneScollon.2004. Nexus analysis: Discourse and the emerging internet. London: Routledge.10.4324/9780203694343Search in Google Scholar
Szilvási, Andrea. 2011. A magyar mint idegen nyelv Szlovákiában [The Hungarian language in Slovakia]. In KatalinMisad & ZoltánCsehy (eds.), Nova Posoniensia, 99. Pozsony/Bratislava: Szenczi Molnár Albert Egyesület & Kalligram.Search in Google Scholar
Spolsky, Bernard.2011. Second-language learning. In Joshua A.Fishman & OfeliaGarcía (eds.), Handbook of language and ethnic identity, 172–185. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Search in Google Scholar
Talburt, Susan & Melissa A.Stewart.1999. What’s the subject of study abroad? Race, gender and “living culture”. Modern Language Journal83 (2). 163–75.Search in Google Scholar
Ten Have, Paul.2004. Understanding qualitative research and ethnomethodology. London: Sage Publications.10.4135/9780857020192Search in Google Scholar
Verdery, Kathrine.1996. What was socialism and what comes next?Princeton: Princeton University Press.10.1515/9781400821990Search in Google Scholar
Woolard, Kathrine & Schieffelin, Bambi.1994. Language ideology. Annual Reviews Anthropology23, 55–82.Search in Google Scholar
Woolard, Kathrine.2013. Is the personal political? Chronotopes and changing stances toward Catalan language and identity. International of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 16 (2), 210–224.Search in Google Scholar
Wünsch, Danielle. 2004. Einstein et la Commission internationale de coopération intellectuelle. Revue d’histoire des sciences. Tome57(2). 509–520.10.3406/rhs.2004.2227Search in Google Scholar
©2016 by De Gruyter Mouton
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Hybrid practices meet nation-state language policies: Transcarpathia in the twentieth century and today
- Teaching the Romanian neighbors Hungarian: language ideologies and the Debrecen Summer School
- National and post-national discourses and the construction of linguistic identities by students of Albanian origin in Greece
- Null arguments in transitional trilingual grammars: Field observations from Misionero German
- Book Reviews
- Anne-Claude Berthoud, François Grin and Georges Lüdi: Exploring the dynamics of multilingualism: The DYLAN project
- Kelly-Holmes, Helen and Tommaso M. Milani: Thematising Multilingualism in the Media
- Fabienne Baider and Georgeta Cislaru: Linguistic approaches to emotions in context (Pragmatics & Beyond new series, 241)
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Hybrid practices meet nation-state language policies: Transcarpathia in the twentieth century and today
- Teaching the Romanian neighbors Hungarian: language ideologies and the Debrecen Summer School
- National and post-national discourses and the construction of linguistic identities by students of Albanian origin in Greece
- Null arguments in transitional trilingual grammars: Field observations from Misionero German
- Book Reviews
- Anne-Claude Berthoud, François Grin and Georges Lüdi: Exploring the dynamics of multilingualism: The DYLAN project
- Kelly-Holmes, Helen and Tommaso M. Milani: Thematising Multilingualism in the Media
- Fabienne Baider and Georgeta Cislaru: Linguistic approaches to emotions in context (Pragmatics & Beyond new series, 241)