17 Aug /16

Sir John Browning – the first Hungarian translator and the man of 200 languages

firts hungarian translator
The 1830 first edition of Poetry of the Magyars is one of the books in the EVS Translations Museum

Sir John Browning was the first translator of Hungarian into English. He translated Poetry of the Magyars: Language and literature of Hungary and Transylvania, which was the title for his collection of Hungarian poems and songs. For many people this would be fame enough, but it was not so for Browning. His contemporaries claimed that he could read 200 languages and speak intelligibly in approximately 100; and his translations certainly proved it. He kicked off with a translation into Russian, followed by a compendium of translations from Scandinavian languages, German, Dutch, Spanish, Polish, and Serbian before tackling Hungarian and then Czech. For many of these languages, it was the first time domestic works had been translated into English.

Browning was appointed by the British government to examine trade relations in France, Italy, Syria, Germany, Thailand, Hawaii, the Netherlands and Spain. In addition to this, he was also Consul in Canton and Governor of Hong Kong. He was a true linguist who used his skills and love of foreign languages to promote understanding. Browning knew he was a trailblazer, modestly acknowledging in his preface that his pioneering work in translation may turn out to be “not unworthy service”. Before starting this translation, Browning requested leading Hungarian to give their recommendations for Hungary’s finest poetry. The result is a compendium covering the whole range of Hungarian writing up to the time it was written.

Ference Kazinczy was a key figure in the promotion of the Hungarian language. One of the poems included is called Separation. It is not a literal translation, but shows how Browning worked. He attempted to bring emotion into the English – and succeeds.

Separation
Ever absent, ever near;
Still I see thee, still I hear;
Yet I cannot reach thee, dear!

The 1830 first edition of Poetry of the Magyars is one of the books in the EVS Translations Museum.