The Eighth Tribe, 1977 (4. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1977-05-01 / 5. szám
May, 1977 THE EIGHTH TRIBE Page 11 are based largely on linguistc consderations. For this reason most of their enthusiastically written works are littered with significant factual and methodological errors, and as such, they are generally disregarded by professional scholars. This “benign neglect”, however, may not be the best course to follow. There are innumerable examples in the history of historical studies when self-trained scholars have come up with significant new discoveries which have affected and altered our knowledge of the past. (One of the best examples of this is the case of Heinrich Schliemann and his discoveries at Troy and Mycenae.) And even if their theory of Sumerian-Magyar relationship is an absolute blind alley, it still may lead to the broadening of our knowledge about some of the undoubted eastern connections of the Magyars, traces of which are preserved in several of the medieval chronicles. In addition to rampant dilettantism, the most basic problem that the adherents of this theory face is that their arguments are based almost exclusively on linguistic considerations. Therefore, even if their linguistic studies were flawless, and they could prove the alleged relationship between the Sumerian and the Magyar languages, they would have to face the obstacle that linguistic proofs alone can never solve basically historical questions. Linguistic affinity — after all — is no conclusive proof for ethnic relationshp, nor for direct descent. People constantly intermix, and they also have the tendency to change their languages. One of the well-known examples of this is the case of the Turkic Bulgarians, who may be the closest descendants of the Huns, yet today they are Slavic speaking, and are officially classified as Slavs. Perhaps it is best to conclude this problem of the alleged Sumerian origins of the Magyars with a brief observation by Professor F. Somogyi. In writing about this question, he noted that the only thing that is certain at this point is that “the agglutinitive language of the Sumerians is somehow similar to the proto-Turkic or Turanian (Ural-Altaic) languages.... Everything else is pure conjecture.” (Küldetés, pp. 48-50). 31 — to be continued HUNGARIAN RADIO PROGRAM WAMO — 104 FM, Pittsburgh, Pa. Sunday, 1:30 P.M. — Garden of Hungarian Music. Host: Miss Julia Orosz. WEDO — 810 AM, McKeesport, Pa. Sunday afternoon: 2:45 to 3:00 — Worship Service — Sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania Hungarian Protestant Churches. 3:00 to 3:30 — Hungarian Hour — Host: Dr. Victor Molnár. WDUQ — 90.5 FM, Pittsburgh, Pa. Saturday evening, 6 to 7 o’clock: “Music from Europe” — Host: Dr. Victor Molnár. If you know someone, who should receive this magazine, please send us their name and address. EUGENE ZADOR, COMPOSER DIED Eugene Zador, Hungarian-born American composer, died in Hollywood, at the age of 82. He composed 13 operas. His first, “Diana”, was performed in Budapest, in 1923. Then followed others, for instance, “Forever Rembrandt”, “Azra”, “The Scarlet Mill”, etc., in Hollywood. Zador’s operas maintained a distinguished Hungarian flavor throughout his life and were performed by such conductors as Eugene Ormandy and Zubin Mehta. Eugene Zador was bom in Bataszék, Hungary, November 5, 1894. Before moving to Hollywood, in 1939, he was professor of music at the Vienna Conservatory. Letter to the Editor:— Sándor E. Chomos P.O. Box 637 Ligonier, Pa. 15658 Dear Mr. Chomos: I was introduced to your publication, “The Eighth Tribe,” by my brother who gave me a subscription as a gift. I intend to continue my subscription because I am intensely interested in my Hungarian heritage, and, in fact, hope to trace my family background in Hungary. With this in mind, I wonder if it would be possible for you to refer me to some sources of reference? Our family name is Taraczkozy; (my mother’s maiden name Marosi). My par ents came to this country from Beregmegye, Beregszász, Hungary. I would be interested in anything pertaining to that area of Hungary, including maps, etc. If you are aware of anyone with information about Beregmegye or know of anyone with either of the above surnames, I would be interested in corresponding with them by mutual consent. Ultimately I hope to travel in Hungary and would like to learn as much as possible about the lifestyle and conditions that exist in the area before I make the trip. Thank you in advance for any consideration you can give me. Sincerely yours, Margit (Taraczkozy) Bragg April 19, 1977 Rt. 1, Box 46 Beckley WV 25801 Editor’s Note: If anyone has information for Mrs. Bragg please' send your information to the editor.
