Hungary

Summary

Official Name: Hungary
Population: 9,689,000
Principal Languages: Hungarian
Literacy Rate: 99% (2015 World Factbook)
International Conventions: CDE (1960), CPPDCE (2006), CSICH (2012), ECRML (1992), FCPNM (1998), ICCPR (1966), UNCRPD (2006), UNDRIP (2007)
General References: Campbell and King 2011
Deaf Population: 330,000
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Hungary is 22. Of these, 20 are living and 2 are extinct. Of the living languages, 5 are indigenous and 15 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 9 are institutional, 9 are developing, and 2 are in trouble. Also listed are 4 unestablished languages.

Languages

Arabic, North Levantine Spoken apc: Users: 2,930 in Hungary (2011 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Armenian, Western hyw: Budapest; Pest county. Users: 440 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 3,290 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Developing). Classification: Indo-European, Armenian
Bulgarian bul: Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Budapest, and Hajdú-Bihar counties. Users: 2,900 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 3,560 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Eastern
Chakavian ckm: Győr-Moson-Sopron and Vas counties. Users: 12,000 in Hungary (2021 K. Tyran). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Gradišćanskohrvatski jezik, Gradišćei Horvát Nyelv Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Chinese zho: Users: 5,820 in Hungary (2011 census). Status: Unestablished.
Croatian hrv: Bács-Kiskun, Baranya, Pest, Somogy, and Zala counties. Users: 13,700 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 23,600 (2011 census). Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1993, Minorities Act No. LXXVII). Alternate Names: Hrvatski, Serbo-Croatian Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
English eng: Users: 1,957,800 in Hungary, all users. L1 users: 7,800 in Hungary (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. L2 users: 1,950,000 (European Commission 2012). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Angol Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
French fra: Users: 115,800 in Hungary, all users. L1 users: 2,800 in Hungary (2022 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. L2 users: 113,000 (Marcoux et al 2022). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
German, Standard deu: Bács-Kiskun, Baranya, Komárom-Esztergom, Pest, Tolna, Vas, and Veszprém counties. Users: 1,795,200 in Hungary, all users. L1 users: 35,200 in Hungary (2020 Eurostat). L2 users: 1,760,000 (2018). Ethnic population: 132,000 (2011 census). Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1993, Minorities Act No. LXXVII). Alternate Names: Deutsch, Német Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German
Greek ell: Budapest and Fejér counties. Users: 1,870 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 3,920 (2011 census). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Görög Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic
Hungarian hun: Widespread. Users: 9,780,000 in Hungary (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 12,564,120. Status: 1 (National). De facto national language. Autonym: Magyar Classification: Uralic
Hungarian Sign Language hsh: Scattered. Users: 10,000 in Hungary (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated deaf signers, assuming 0.1% of the total population. Other estimates: 9,000 (2021 EUD), 49,000 Deaf (2014 IMB). Total users in all countries: 11,200. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2011, Constitution, Article H(3)). Recognized language (2009, Act CXXV on Hungarian Sign Language and the use of Hungarian Sign Language). Alternate Names: Magyar Jelnyelv, Magyarországi jelnyelv Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Kuman qwm: Bács-Kiskun and Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok counties. Users: No known L1 speakers. István Varró, the last speaker, died in 1770. Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Cuman Classification: Turkic, Western, Aralo-Caspian
Polish pol: Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén and Budapest counties. Users: 3,050 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 5,730 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Lengyel Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Lechitic
Romani, Carpathian rmc: Nógrád county: Hugyag; Csongrád-Csanád county: Szeged (Gurvári dialect). Users: Few speakers. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Central Romani, Romanes, Romungro Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Northern
Romani, Vlax rmy: Bács-Kiskun, Baranya, Békés, and Csongrád-Csanád counties. Users: 54,300 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 309,000 (2011 census). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Beás, Cigány, Roma Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Vlax
Romanian ron: Bács-Kiskun, Békés, Budapest, and Csongrád-Csanád counties. Users: 13,900 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 26,300 (2011 census). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Daco-Romanian, Limba română, Româneşte, Rumanian Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern
Russian rus: Users: 200,000 in Hungary (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 7,380 (2011 census). Ethnic population: 6,170 (2011 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Rusyn rue: Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county: Komlóska and Mucsony; Budapest and Pest counties. Users: 1,000 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 3,320 (2011 census). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Carpathian, Carpatho-Rusyn, Ruthenian Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Serbian srp: Budapest county; Bács-Kiskun, Baranya, and Csongrád-Csanád counties, urban enclaves. Users: 3,710 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 7,210 (2011 census). Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1993, Minorities Act No. LXXVII). Alternate Names: Serbo-Croatian Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Slovak slk: Bács-Kiskun, Békés, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Komárom-Esztergom, Nógrád, and Pest counties. Users: 9,890 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 29,600 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (1993, Minorities Act No. LXXVII). Alternate Names: Slovenčina, Slovenský Jazyk Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Czech-Slovak
Slovene slv: Vas county; near Slovenia border. Users: 1,720 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 2,390 (2011 census). Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1993, Minorities Act No. LXXVII). Alternate Names: Slovenščina, Slovenian Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Ukrainian ukr: Budapest and Pest counties. Users: 3,380 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 5,630 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Ukrán Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Vietnamese vie: Users: 2,670 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 3,020 (2011 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Viet-Muong, Vietnamese
Yassic ysc: Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok county: Jászberény district. Users: No known L1 speakers. Last speaker likely died in the 15th century. Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Jassic, Jász Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Northeastern
Yiddish, Eastern ydd: Major cities. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, Yiddish

Languages by Status

1 (National)

Hungarian

[hun] 1 (National). De facto national language. 9,780,000 in Hungary (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 12,564,120.

4 (Educational)

Croatian

[hrv] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1993, Minorities Act No. LXXVII). 13,700 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 23,600 (2011 census).

English

[eng] 4 (Educational). 1,957,800 in Hungary, all users. L1 users: 7,800 in Hungary (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. L2 users: 1,950,000 (European Commission 2012).

German, Standard

[deu] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1993, Minorities Act No. LXXVII). 1,795,200 in Hungary, all users. L1 users: 35,200 in Hungary (2020 Eurostat). L2 users: 1,760,000 (2018). Ethnic population: 132,000 (2011 census).

Greek

[ell] 4 (Educational). 1,870 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 3,920 (2011 census).

Romani, Vlax

[rmy] 4 (Educational). 54,300 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 309,000 (2011 census).

Romanian

[ron] 4 (Educational). 13,900 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 26,300 (2011 census).

Serbian

[srp] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1993, Minorities Act No. LXXVII). 3,710 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 7,210 (2011 census).

Slovene

[slv] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1993, Minorities Act No. LXXVII). 1,720 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 2,390 (2011 census).

5 (Dispersed)

Bulgarian

[bul] 5* (Dispersed). 2,900 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 3,560 (2011 census).

French

[fra] 5* (Dispersed). 115,800 in Hungary, all users. L1 users: 2,800 in Hungary (2022 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. L2 users: 113,000 (Marcoux et al 2022).

Polish

[pol] 5* (Dispersed). 3,050 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 5,730 (2011 census).

Slovak

[slk] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (1993, Minorities Act No. LXXVII). 9,890 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 29,600 (2011 census).

Ukrainian

[ukr] 5* (Dispersed). 3,380 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 5,630 (2011 census).

Yiddish, Eastern

[ydd] 5* (Dispersed).

5 (Developing)

Armenian, Western

[hyw] 5* (Developing). 440 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 3,290 (2011 census).

Hungarian Sign Language

[hsh] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2011, Constitution, Article H(3)). Recognized language (2009, Act CXXV on Hungarian Sign Language and the use of Hungarian Sign Language). 10,000 in Hungary (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated deaf signers, assuming 0.1% of the total population. Other estimates: 9,000 (2021 EUD), 49,000 Deaf (2014 IMB). Total users in all countries: 11,200.

Romani, Carpathian

[rmc] 5* (Developing). Few speakers.

6b (Threatened)

Chakavian

[ckm] 6b (Threatened). 12,000 in Hungary (2021 K. Tyran).

Rusyn

[rue] 6b (Threatened). 1,000 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 3,320 (2011 census).

10 (Extinct)

Kuman

[qwm] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. István Varró, the last speaker, died in 1770.

Yassic

[ysc] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. Last speaker likely died in the 15th century.

Unestablished

Arabic, North Levantine Spoken

[apc] Unestablished. 2,930 in Hungary (2011 census).

Chinese

[zho] Unestablished. 5,820 in Hungary (2011 census).

Russian

[rus] Unestablished. 200,000 in Hungary (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 7,380 (2011 census). Ethnic population: 6,170 (2011 census).

Vietnamese

[vie] Unestablished. 2,670 in Hungary (2011 census). Ethnic population: 3,020 (2011 census).

Maps

Hungary

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Hungary with respect to their level of language vitality. Each individual language that has an entry for Hungary is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of vitality. The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level.
The vitality levels and the color coding of the bars match the scheme used in the guide on How many languages are endangered? In this scheme, the levels and colors are as follows:
- Dark green = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Light green = Stable (EGIDS 5-6a) — The language is not being sustained by formal institutions, but It is still the norm in the home and community that all children learn and use the language.
- Red = Endangered (EGIDS 6b-9) — It is no longer the norm that children learn and use this language.
These three summary levels have been derived by grouping levels in the Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (EGIDS), which is the more fine-grained scale that Ethnologue uses to assess the status of every language in terms of development versus endangerment; see the Language Status page for a description of the levels of that scale. See also the pages on Development and Endangerment for more discussion.
Language Status Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Hungary with respect to their status of language development versus language endangerment. Each individual language that has an entry for Hungary is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of development or endangerment as measured on the EGIDS scale. (See the pages on Development and Endangerment for a fuller explanation.) The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level. Consult the Status listings for Hungary in order to see the specific languages for each level.
The color coding of the bars matches the color scheme used in the summary profile graphs on the navigation maps for the site. In this scheme, the EGIDS levels are grouped as follows:
- Purple = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Blue = Developing (EGIDS 5) — The language is in vigorous use, with literature in a standardized form being used by some though this is not yet widespread or sustainable.
- Green = Vigorous (EGIDS 6a) — The language is unstandardized and in vigorous use among all generations.
- Yellow = In trouble (EGIDS 6b-7) — Intergenerational transmission is in the process of being broken, but the child-bearing generation can still use the language so it is possible that revitalization efforts could restore transmission of the language in the home.
- Red = Dying (EGIDS 8a-9) — The only fluent users (if any) are older than child-bearing age, so it is too late to restore natural intergenerational transmission through the home; a mechanism outside the home would need to be developed.
- Black = Extinct (EGIDS 10) — The language has fallen completely out of use and no one retains a sense of ethnic identity associated with the language.

Resources

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Digest of the languages of Hungary ($149.95, 26 page PDF)

Hungary

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Hungary

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action