Hungarian Language and Culture

Field of Study: philology, majoring in translation and interpreting

Hungarian Language and Culture, in combination with Slovak language study majoring in translation and interpreting, is a study programme aimed at preparing qualified translators and interpreters from the Slovak language into the target Hungarian language. This profession requires comprehensive linguistic and professional knowledge and, later on, the lifelong learning necessary to maintain adequate educational standing as translators and interpreters.

It is implemented as a three-year Bachelor’s degree programme. Graduates of the Bachelor’s degree study may continue in the study for a Master’s degree. The implementation of the study programme is provided by the Department of Hungarian Language and Literature.

 

STUDY CONTENT

The composition of the courses offered enables students at the Bachelor’s degree level to prepare for the use of Hungarian in an environment where emphasis is on practical command of the language and the use of special techniques of communication (professional and artistic translation, consecutive interpreting). The aim of the study is to master Hungarian in its normative form, both written and spoken; the patterns of Hungarian language at the grammatical, lexical and stylistic levels; as well as the basic methods and procedures of textual analysis and lexicographic practice, which translators and interpreters will be able to use for their professional needs. Students will learn communication and translation skills on the basis of administrative, journalistic, economic and legal texts, as well as social science and literary texts. Accordingly, they also acquire knowledge of Slovak-Hungarian comparative linguistics, the theory of interpreting, professional and artistic translation, Hungarian Literature and contemporary issues of Hungary. In the Master’s degree study, the composition of the compulsory electives allows for a more translation-oriented or interpreting-oriented focus. After completing the Master’s degree (or during the last year), prospective students may supplement their education with a pedagogical minimum.

 

BASIC STUDY PREREQUISITES AND REQUIREMENTS

Applicants are expected to have an active interest in and a passion for learning Hungarian as a first or second language, a relationship to the linguistic and cultural area of Hungary as well as a communicativeness. The recommended profile subjects from secondary school which are a good basis for the study of this study programme are Hungarian language and literature, Slovak language and literature as well as social studies and history. For successful completion of the study, a knowledge of Hungarian at the C1 level (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages -- CEFR) is required. Teaching is in Hungarian.

 

GRADUATES’' EMPLOYMENT

Graduates of the Bachelor’s degree can either continue to a Master’s degree or they can work as translators and interpreters in the tourism sector or in cultural and social institutions where sophisticated linguistic expression is required. After obtaining a full university degree in this field, the graduate can work as a translator and interpreter in various fields (in administrative, legal or journalistic and literary fields), as an editor in publishing houses and editorial offices of newspapers and magazines, or as an assistant in agencies of various types, in corporate environments and in state and public administration. Outstanding graduates may apply for doctoral study.

 

ENTRANCE EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants will be admitted to the Hungarian Language and Culture (in combination) study programme on the basis of a general aptitude test of the National Comparative Exam provided by www.scio.cz, s. r. o.