Hungary Expat Forum

peddington
Joined 2013
Posts: 382

9 years ago

Language...

9 years ago

Greetings! One of course can't draw a parallel between the US and Hungary other than Hungary is roughly the size of Florida. The comparison kind of stops right about there. Hungarians are proud people as they should be and regardless of their "size" their "Magyar" history goes back farther than almost 300 years the US can claim. Yet Hungary is fairly insignificant because it's size, population and it's "middle of the road" politics. It takes it's EU/NATO benefits and still try to stay "cozy" with it's former occupiers. (But who can blame them!) Only a few years ago Mr. Gyurcsany and his cabinet sang the "Internationale" on TV reminiscent of the "good old communist years". Hungary as you would expect adopted practices and policies from European countries including Germany and Russia. They foster "bureaucracy" because it keeps many government employees gainfully employed and privately they tell you is because "if it is this way it is harder for people to cheat". Of course if you "know people" everything is easy and there is no 30 day waiting period for anything. Many non speakers of course don't know this because they never have a "honest" dialog with a citizen but they think they know because they lived here a few years and spoke to a few "English speaking" Hungarians and yes they have the Internet. Boy do they miss the mark! Back to the point originally mentioned; the Hungarian language is very rich and expressive. Truly a "literary" language but true enough not many speak it. Of course it would be a shame if it disappeared as anything that is part of our culture. Sadly though more and more foreign words are spoken/intermixed by media, "celebs" and politicians thinking that makes them more "sophisticate". This may signal the "end" of a language more than any other in my opinion!

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Living in Hungary Guide

Guide to Living in Hungary covering expat life, local culture, finding a home, diversity and more.

Hungary Forum
Join our Hungary forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Hungary.

Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Hungary.

Best Places to Live in Hungary

If you're thinking about living in Hungary, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Hungary in 2023.

Healthcare in Hungary

If you're moving to Hungary or an expat living in Hungary, understanding the Hungarian healthcare system in important. This article offers an overview of the national healthcare system, private hospitals and healthcare, private health insurance for expats in Hungary, clinics with English-speaking doctors and the quality and cost of medical care in Hungary.

Cost of Living in Hungary

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Hungary.

Moving to Hungary Guide

Expats share 8 things they which they had known before they made the big move to Hungary - from what to bring to finding a good bank, healthcare to deciding where to live.

Real Estate in Hungary

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Hungary.

Pros & Cons of Living in Hungary

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Hungary.

Retiring in Hungary

Advice for people retiring in Hungary.

10 Tips for Living in Hungary

If you've recently arrived in Hungary, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Hungary.

Additional Information:

Visit our Hungary Index for a Full List

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Contribute
Help others in Hungary by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Hungary.