The event called Studiedag offers an opportunity for Hungarian scholars of Dutch studies to engage in an annual professional exchange. It is a conference held at a different location every year, with the participation of faculty and students from the departments of all three Hungarian institutions of higher education offering a program in Dutch studies: the University of Debrecen, Eötvös Loránd University and Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church .
As this event is a joint undertaking for the Dutch studies community in Hungary, centering on the Dutch language and culture, representatives from the diplomatic missions of the Netherlands and the Flanders region of Belgium to Hungary also attended it.
It was Willem van Ee, the Ambassador of Netherlands to Hungary, who first addressed the conference participants, emphasizing in his speech the importance of proficiency in foreign languages.
- Language is more than just the knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. It opens doors to the history and culture of another nation. Through language, we get the opportunity to understand each other, work together and adopt a different, critical way of thinking- said the ambassador in his opening remarks.
His Excellency Willem van Ee underlined that he was extremely proud of the three Hungarian universities offering programs in Dutch studies and in the inclusion of Dutch as a foreign language in the Hungarian school-leaving examination system.
Also honoring the event with his presence was Laurijn van Steenbergen, Deputy General Representative of Flanders to Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia, who expressed similar views on the importance of further cultivating foreign languages, including the Dutch language and culture. He emphasized that human interactions are essential for ensuring that the transmission of language and culture should endures, evolve and be passed on through living, personal connections. In his speech, he particularly highlighted the significance of the Acta Neerlandica series published by the Department of Dutch Studies of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Debrecen and commended the active participation of the department’s students in national translation competitions.
A unique feature of this gathering was the presence of Secretary-General of the Dutch Language Union (Taalunie) Gunther Van Neste. As a cross-border international cultural organization, this Language Union works to strengthen the Dutch language in the Netherlands, Flanders and Suriname (the three countries and regions where Dutch is an official language) as well as across the globe.
In his address, Gunther Van Neste pointed out that the Dutch Language Union would remain committed to bringing the Dutch language and culture to the broadest possible circle of people, thereby making sure that they continue to survive. He also mentioned the students of Dutch studies on several occasions, encouraging and prompting them to go on with their studies, noting that a knowledge of the Dutch language and culture can open up vast opportunities for them. At the same time, he expressed his gratitude to the instructors and researchers in the field, whose efforts significantly bolster the activities of the Taalunie.
On behalf of the leadership of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Debrecen, Vice Dean of International and Academic Affairs Balázs Venkovits welcomed the conference participants. In his address, he noted the strong presence of the Department of Dutch Studies within the Faculty, highlighted the significance of research into Dutch-Hungarian relations, and noted the department's active participation in a number of faculty projects.
Head of the Department of Dutch Studies Réka Bozzay recalled how the department was founded, tracing its history back to the initial attempt to establish it in 1920. She then outlined its evolution from a specialization into a full-fledged department that now offers a comprehensive Dutch studies program. She also gave an outline of the academic curriculum, which comprises a Bachelor’s program in Dutch Studies, an undivided teacher training program and a Master’s program in translation and interpreting.
The central agenda of the conference, which was prepared by Assistant Professor Márta Kántor-Faragó, focused on the teaching of the Dutch language in secondary and higher education. The former of these two is fairly special because, apart from the Dutch language areas, you can learn Dutch and take a final exam in it in institutions of secondary education only in Hungary. In addition, all of the three domestic higher education institutions teaching the Dutch language also offer a specialization of Dutch teacher training.
The opening plenary lecture of the event was given by Birgit Lijmbach (Language Center, University of Groningen), who presented the recently published edition of Nederlands in gang, which is the updated version of her Dutch language textbook for beginners.
There were also presentations given on the Dutch language and culture teacher training program at ELTE, the work conducted at the Department of Dutch Studies at the University of Debrecen, the challenges of language teaching, and the key aspects and structure of the Dutch language secondary school-leaving examination in Hungary.
As regards the latter topic, the conference participants gained insight into the practices of teaching Dutch as a foreign language at Lónyay Street Reformed High School in Budapest and Bethlen Gábor Technical School of Economics (which is part of Debrecen’s Vocational Training Center). For concluding the session, a talk was given on experiences regarding the operation of the Dutch language club launched at Bocskai István High School in Hajdúböszörmény.
The national meeting of Hungarian specialists in Dutch studies will be hosted next year by Károli Gáspár Reformed University.
Press Center - BZs