I have been living in Hungary since March 2015, but it recently occurred to me that in many fundamental ways, I am really not living in Hungary at all, but rather in a little bubble marked by the parameters of the English language.
Hungarian was the first language I learned in life, and though I have was never formally taught the mechanics of Magyar, I am fully fluent and possess an innate instinctive feel for the language, to the point that I blend in seamlessly with 'native' Hungarians.
All the same, I consider English to be my true native language, primarily because I have formally studied the language, but also because it has been the predominant language of my life, both as a child and as an adult.
English has comprised 95% of my waking life, and 100% of my dreaming life in Hungary. Oddly enough, this ratio was exactly the same when I lived in the United States, Canada, and England. In other words, I am living in more or less the same mode I was living when I resided in Anglo countries. I find this odd and amusing.
Of course, this mode I'm in can be readily and easily explained. Though I can think in Hungarian, I prefer to think in English. I have no control over my dreams, but as far as I can recollect, my dream mind prefers English. Though I am surrounded by the Hungarian language, I still complete the vast bulk of my reading and writing in English. On top of that, English forms the foundation of my work life over here in Central Europe. I teach English language classes, proofread texts written in English, and translate texts from Hungarian to English.
This English bubble doesn't trouble me in any existential sort of way. Given my current vocational circumstances, it is practically inevitable. Nevertheless, it has occurred to me that this bubble also represents a sort of unintentional barrier, one that has been effectively cutting me off from the richness and depth of the surrounding culture.
In light of this, I am going to make a concerted effort to spend more time reading Hungarian texts - especially novels - and more time listening to Hungarian language lectures, programs, and interviews. I estimate my English bubble will essentially remain intact, but it may become more porous and, with time, allow for a deeper connection with this country I call home.
Hungarian was the first language I learned in life, and though I have was never formally taught the mechanics of Magyar, I am fully fluent and possess an innate instinctive feel for the language, to the point that I blend in seamlessly with 'native' Hungarians.
All the same, I consider English to be my true native language, primarily because I have formally studied the language, but also because it has been the predominant language of my life, both as a child and as an adult.
English has comprised 95% of my waking life, and 100% of my dreaming life in Hungary. Oddly enough, this ratio was exactly the same when I lived in the United States, Canada, and England. In other words, I am living in more or less the same mode I was living when I resided in Anglo countries. I find this odd and amusing.
Of course, this mode I'm in can be readily and easily explained. Though I can think in Hungarian, I prefer to think in English. I have no control over my dreams, but as far as I can recollect, my dream mind prefers English. Though I am surrounded by the Hungarian language, I still complete the vast bulk of my reading and writing in English. On top of that, English forms the foundation of my work life over here in Central Europe. I teach English language classes, proofread texts written in English, and translate texts from Hungarian to English.
This English bubble doesn't trouble me in any existential sort of way. Given my current vocational circumstances, it is practically inevitable. Nevertheless, it has occurred to me that this bubble also represents a sort of unintentional barrier, one that has been effectively cutting me off from the richness and depth of the surrounding culture.
In light of this, I am going to make a concerted effort to spend more time reading Hungarian texts - especially novels - and more time listening to Hungarian language lectures, programs, and interviews. I estimate my English bubble will essentially remain intact, but it may become more porous and, with time, allow for a deeper connection with this country I call home.
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