Irodalomtörténeti Közlemények

A Mausoleum és a „most szokásos újabb poétikai stílus”

Anita Fajt — 2026-07-31

This study examines the German translation of the collection of eulogies titled Mausoleum, published in 1664 with the support of Palatine Nádasdy Ferenc. Although the volume is a work of central importance in Hungarian cultural history, the poetic characteristics of the German version prepared by Sigmund von Birken have received little attention to date. Using the tools of microphilology, the author demonstrates how Birken applied the “new poetic style” of the era in his translation work. Building on a comparison of the Latin and German versions, the study analyzes Birken’s translation methods in detail, examines rhetorical devices in both textual versions, and seeks to determine whether elements characteristic of German Baroque language can be identified in the German text. It also pays special attention to the rendering of references to ancient mythology, which, as the analysis reveals, reflects Birken’s increasingly radical and dismissive poetic views. The analysis also uncovers several significant conceptual modifications in the German version: these suggest that Birken – in contrast to the Latin text – shifted the emphasis to the printed medium. Finally, the article examines the function of the German translation, interpreting it primarily in the context of Nádasdy’s self-representation, and highlights the significance of the nobleman’s endeavor to ensure that the German version of the text was consciously crafted according to the most modern poetic principles of the era.

„Emanuel, ráncs elő fegyveredet, és pajisodat”

Éva Knapp — 2026-07-31

The Jesuit Academic Printing House in Trnava published the first edition of a book under the title Gyözedelemnek trombitája (Trumpet of Victory) in 1723, which is a “little book of prayers” according to the additional text on the title page. The work, translated from Latin into Hungarian and published in a total of three editions, has not been researched until today. The study clarifies and defines the identity of the translator, presents the origin of the work (Enchiridion Leonis Papae) and its content, attempts to determine the edition on which the translation is based, and compares the Hungarian text with the currently available printed editions published before 1723.

Summing up the significance of Amade Antal’s Hungarian text, it can be said that his oeuvre, which cannot yet be considered complete, has been expanded and made more complete by a translation of literary work. 18th-century Hungarian literature was further enriched by a previously unaccounted for genre-worthy compilation: the grimoire. In terms of international research, this means that the eastern border of early modern European grimoire literature has shifted

Gyöngyösi és a kutyák

Viktória Majoros — 2026-07-31

The study investigates questions of Gyöngyösi István’s literary imitation by undertaking a philological analysis of the names of hunting dogs appearing in his poems Csalárd Cupido and Kemény János emlékezete. The issue has been addressed before, primarily in connection with supposed Ovidian influences. On the one hand, the paper demonstrates that earlier scholarship – especially the name lists compiled by Rupp Kornél and Jankovics József – is incorrect in several respects. On the other hand, it devotes particular attention to problematic cases, such as the dog name Phigalia, whose origin cannot be traced to the tradition of the Metamorphoses.

In these instances, Gyöngyösi likely drew instead on a number of engaging and entertaining works of early modern humanist literature. Special emphasis is placed on the figure of the dog Aldina, whose name belongs to a widespread European tradition of canine elegies. The point of origin of this tradition is a volume published in 1622 by the Parisian printer Nicolas Buon (In obitum Aldinae catellae), in which numerous humanists mourn the poor Aldina.

In addition, the study shows that even names previously considered Ovidian – such as Phylax, Coridon, or Mopsus – can be traced back to early modern literary models.

A magyar tanítási nyelvre áttérés viszontagságai a szakirodalomban és ismeretlen levéltári forrásai Debrecenben (1797–1833)

Botond Gáborjáni Szabó — 2026-07-31

Under the Habsburg rulers, the question of Hungarian as the language of instruction was a source of political tension. The “supreme royal supervision” of education forced Protestant school administrators to “coordinate” and harmonize with the state Catholic system. The main obstacle to the replacement of Latin (outside of politics) was the state of our language and the shortcomings of Hungarian scientific terminology. Since Latin was the official language of the country before 1844, the livelihood of students could only be secured through effective bilingualism, so in 1797, the leaders of the Debrecen College decided to teach all subjects in Hungarian, while also striving to maintain the level of Latin proficiency.

The first “exams” were then conducted in a peculiar mixture of languages. In the following years, as a compromise while new technical terms were being found, some subjects were taught in Latin and others in Hungarian. The local procedures of the transition offer parallels at the national level in an area that is difficult to research: Hungarian lectures were followed by Latin recitations, and the language of teaching, testing, and conversation often differed and even alternated. Some Hungarian textbooks were translated into Latin independently, while Latin authors were translated into Hungarian.

With a few exceptions, the literature on the history of education does not take into account that between 1797 and 1833, several subjects were taught in Hungarian at all levels of the college in Debrecen. Between 1800 and 1825, nearly forty Hungarian textbooks were published here, and there are also plenty of student notes from such lectures. After a period of internal strife, the 1820s saw the establishment of new Hungarian-language “cathedras” and then the Department of Hungarian Language and Literature, with the complete transition to the native language (with the exception of law) taking place in 1833.

Papp Ingrid (szerk.): A könyv a kora újkori Kárpát-medence művelődésében

Edina Zvara — 2026-07-31

Fülöp Dorottya (szerk.): Jókai Mór versei Nagy Bellához

Laura Baranyai — 2026-07-31

Major Ágnes és Mizsur Dániel (szerk.): „világosak lesznek előttünk a homályok és sötétségek”

Petronella Kis — 2026-07-31

Ritoók Zsigmond ravatalánál

Péter Dávidházi — 2026-07-31

Imre Mihály (1946–2026)

Gergely Tamás Fazakas — 2026-07-31