Itt-Ott, 1999 (32. évfolyam, 1/131-2/132. szám)
1999 / 1. (131.) szám
THE BLURB as requested Paulette Layton (New Fairfield, Connecticut) I'm not sure this is what you wanted and I keep wavering on whether or not it says what I really want it to, but I've been looking at it too long already. So — here you go. ****************************************** When I was a little girl ITT-OTT was a mysterious magazine that I'd see my mother reading (when she wasn't reading National Review). I would sometimes venture a peek and open it up, but none of the articles had titles that would catch the interest of an eleven year old, so I'd put it down fairly quickly (unlike National Review that always had a page of cartoons). Eventually I didn't even bother picking it up. I grew accustomed to seeing it around the house, and equally accustomed to ignore it. Later on, in my early twenties when my interest in the Hungarian culture and language were renewed, I decided it would be a very important thing to begin reading ITTOTT. Reading after all, strengthens language skills - something I desperately needed, and ITT-OTT seemed like it would fill in an important cultural element. So once again, I ventured a peek. To my relief I got further along than when I was eleven — but not much. Again, I put if down fairly quickly. I felt I was entering a theatre during the second act of the play. I didn't know the characters, I didn't know the plot, and I didn't know whom I should be rooting for. Despite being anxious to read as much Hungarian as I could, these articles were on a scholarly level much too advanced for my "kitchen"-Hungarian. In recent years I made more of an effort, but it continues to be just that: an effort. Not being necessarily a lazy girl, I nevertheless think of reading as a pleasure and don't often seek out material that is more of a chore. Unfortunately ITT-OTT gets buried under lighter fare more often than I'd like. I'm not sure how I would go about inspiring more readership among the younger members of the Hungarian community. I think I'd start by going back to that eleven year old girl. If ITT-OTT were more accessible in the early years, it would carry through adulthood. Whereas the academic level of ITT-OTT should not change, maybe some room can be made for sections for different age levels. A Section as short even as a single page, geared toward children. Another that targets young adults, perhaps with contributions from younger members of MBK. Including articles that hold similar types of subject matter as the more academic sections without the intimidating scholarly approach. Habits we acquire in our youth usually stick with us throughout our lives. If, when I picked up ITT-OTT at the age of eleven, there had been a section I could both understand and enjoy, I’d have pounced on that magazine. And eventually I'd started to see if other sections were as interesting. At some time reading the more scholarly sections wouldn't be such an intimidation. Having grown up with the magazine I would know its general mood and direction. I might still have problems with the language, but that would make it challenging because I would already be interested in the subject matter. The first thing they teach to you when you begin writing essays or papers is, "know your audience", and write to that audience. If ITT-OTT wants to attract a larger audience it's going to have to write with that larger audience in mind. Although we may aspire, not all of us are academics and not all of us have the solid command of the Hungarian language necessary to understand scholarly material. The magazine shouldn't be "dummied" down — that would only succeed driving away the current readership. However, it should be broadened to encompass readers that are interested in the subject matter but need a somewhat simpler format in order to appreciate it. □□□ Egyedül Szügyi Zoltán (Budapest) egyedül ám méltóságteljesen lépdelsz előttem követlek megyek még menni látlak megpihenek ha megpihensz ITT-OTT 32. évf. (1999), 1. (131.) szám 5
