Mária Bajzek Lukács, Hungarian author and educator

Mária Bajzek Lukács, known in Slovene as Marija Bajzek Lukač, born on January 24, 1960, is a distinguished Hungarian Slovene language writer and a prominent university professor. Her unique academic and literary career bridges cultures and languages, making her a significant figure in the field of Slavic philology and minority language studies.

Early Life and Educational Foundations

Born in Szentgotthárd, Hungary, Mária Bajzek Lukács spent her formative years in the nearby village of Felsőszölnök. These locations are particularly significant as they are situated in the Rábavidék (Porabje) region, a historical area in Hungary with a notable Slovene minority. This upbringing deeply influenced her academic trajectory and her dedication to the preservation and study of Slovene language and culture in Hungary.

Between 1974 and 1978, she attended the Serbo-Croatian High School in Budapest, an institution vital for minority education in Hungary. This period provided her with a strong linguistic foundation in South Slavic languages, preparing her for advanced studies.

In 1978, Mária Bajzek Lukács embarked on her higher education journey in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia and a central hub for Slovene academic life. By 1983, she had successfully completed her studies, earning a comprehensive teaching degree in both Slovene and Serbo-Croatian. This dual specialization underscores her profound understanding of the broader South Slavic linguistic landscape.

Career and Academic Contributions

Prior to her extensive academic career, Mária Bajzek Lukács contributed to media as an editor for Narodne Novine until 1988. Narodne Novine is a weekly newspaper specifically catering to the Croatian minority in Hungary, showcasing her early professional engagement with minority cultural preservation.

Her commitment to scholarly pursuits culminated in 2004 when she earned her doctorate in Budapest. Today, she holds the esteemed position of an adjunct professor at the Department of Slavic Philology at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), one of Hungary's oldest and most prestigious academic institutions. Additionally, she serves as a visiting teacher in Maribor, Slovenia, likely at the University of Maribor, further strengthening academic ties between Hungary and Slovenia.

Linguistic Expertise and Research Focus

Mária Bajzek Lukács is a polyglot, fluent in Hungarian, Slovene (including the intricate local Prekmurje dialect), Serbian, and Croatian. Her remarkable multilingualism is a cornerstone of her research, enabling her to delve deeply into comparative linguistics and dialectology.

A primary area of her specialized research is Prekmurje Slovene. This distinct dialect group, spoken not only in the Prekmurje region of Slovenia but also across the border in the Rábavidék region of Hungary, where Felsőszölnök is located, represents a crucial part of Slovene linguistic diversity. Her work significantly contributes to understanding and preserving this unique linguistic heritage.

Her notable academic contributions include:

• In 2009, she authored the seminal dictionary of the Felsőszölnök dialect. This work is invaluable for the detailed documentation and preservation of this specific local variant of Slovene, a vital resource for linguists and dialectologists.
• In 2010, she undertook the significant task of translating a book on the history of the Prekmurje dialect and Slovene. This translation makes critical historical and linguistic insights accessible to a broader audience, bridging language barriers for scholarly discourse.

Personal and Professional Connection

Mária Bajzek Lukács shares her academic environment with her husband, István Lukács, who is also a professor at Eötvös Loránd University. Their shared professional landscape at ELTE highlights a family dedication to scholarship.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mária Bajzek Lukács

Who is Mária Bajzek Lukács?

Mária Bajzek Lukács is a prominent Hungarian Slovene language writer and a distinguished university professor specializing in Slavic philology and linguistics. She is known for her extensive research on the Prekmurje Slovene dialect and her contributions to lexicography.

What is her academic background?

She holds a teaching degree in Slovene and Serbo-Croatian from Ljubljana and a doctorate earned in Budapest. She is currently an adjunct professor at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest and a visiting teacher in Maribor, Slovenia.

Where is she from, and how did it influence her work?

Born in Szentgotthárd and raised in Felsőszölnök, Hungary, both located in the Rábavidék (Porabje) region, her upbringing in an area with a Slovene minority profoundly shaped her dedication to studying and preserving Slovene language, particularly the Prekmurje dialect spoken there.

What languages does Mária Bajzek Lukács speak?

She is fluent in Hungarian, Slovene (including the Prekmurje dialect), Serbian, and Croatian, which underpins her expertise in South Slavic linguistics.

What are her main contributions to linguistics?

Her key contributions include authoring the dictionary of the Felsőszölnök dialect (2009) and translating a historical book on the Prekmurje dialect and Slovene (2010). Her research focuses extensively on Prekmurje Slovene, contributing significantly to dialectology and minority language studies.