Nyelv (kétnyelvűség) és (kettős) identitás az alföldi szlovákok körében Magyarországon

Abstract

The paper reflects on the findings and conclusions of our interdisciplinary research; it is partly theoretical, partly analytical and synthetic. Drawing on the theoretical and methodological principles and connections, as well as on the results of previous sociolinguistic research on bilingual communication, we provide a partial characterization of Slovak-Hungarian bilingualism and identity in the ethnically mixed areas of Hungary (the Great Plain). In the theoretical part, we give a brief overview of the research and the academic publications on Slovak-Hungarian bilingualism in Hungary, provide a concise interpretation of the concept of bilingualism, and outline some of the issues of ethnic and cultural identity. The sociolinguistic research is conducted from2018. The research sample is composed of respondents from Csongrád-Csanád and Békés counties from different age groups, education, and social backgrounds. The research material consists and questionnaires. In the analytical part of our study, we use both descriptive and comparative methods to examine the given topic in an interdisciplinary context, taking into account the interrelationship between language and identity (such as the issues of language choice and competence, questions such as which language speakers use more often; which language they prefer and with whom; in which language they express themselves more easily; which language they consider to be their mother tongue, i.e. what they understand by the concept of mother tongue; how they perceive the link between language and identity; when, why, and with whom they switch from one language to another in communication, etc.). Based on the analysis of the research material, we can conclude that the bilingualism of the Slovaks of the Hungarian Great Plain is characterized by collective bilingualism. This is also true when we talk about successive or bilingualism learned at school rather than natural bilingualism. Despite the predominance of passive, receptive bilingualism, it can also be stated that Slovak–Hungarian bilingualism still exists as a living phenomenon. A more dominant feature –than bilingualism –is Slovak–Hungarian dual identity and biculturalism.