Hungarian Speakers In Austria: A Linguistic Legacy

Hungary and Austria have a long history of cultural exchange, with Hungarians having established a community in Vienna as early as 1541. In the 17th century, Vienna became a key cultural centre for Hungarians, with Hungarian students graduating from Vienna University and an increasing number of Hungarian craftsmen moving to the city. Today, around 27,000 Hungarians live in Vienna, with an estimated total of 40,000 Hungarian speakers in Austria.

There are around 25,884 Hungarians in Austria, according to the 2001 Census

Hungarian has traditionally held an important position in Austria due to the historical ties between the two countries. Hungarians established a community in Vienna from 1541 following the 1526 battle of Mohács. Towards the end of the 17th century, the city became a key cultural centre for Hungarians. Hungarian students graduated from Vienna University and, from the 17th century onwards, there was an increasing influx of Hungarian craftsmen into Vienna. The first cultural associations were set up in Vienna in the 1860s. In 1910, 130,300 residents of Vienna were citizens of the Hungarian part of the empire, while only 45,000 of them were also ethnically Hungarian. After World War I, a re-emigration started, and in the Interwar period, Hungarians counted between 1,000 and 2,000 people. Today, some 27,000 Hungarians live in Vienna.

The total number of Hungarian speakers is estimated at around 40,000

The total number of Hungarian speakers in Austria is estimated at around 40,000. This is despite the fact that, according to the 2001 census, there were only 25,884 Hungarians living in the country. Of these, 10,686 were in Vienna and 4,704 in Burgenland. However, the number of Hungarian speakers in Burgenland is thought to be around 6,600.

Hungarian has traditionally held an important position in Austria due to the historical ties between the two countries. Hungarians first established a community in Vienna in 1541, following the 1526 battle of Mohács. By 1910, 130,300 residents of Vienna were citizens of the Hungarian part of the empire, though only 45,000 of them were ethnically Hungarian. After World War I, a re-emigration started, and censuses of the Interwar period counted between 1,000 and 2,000 Hungarians. In more recent times, refugees from Hungary increased the numbers again in 1945, 1948 and 1956. Today, some 27,000 Hungarians live in Vienna.

The Hungarians of Burgenland were split into four groups prior to the 1921 annexation of Burgenland. Burgenland Hungarians are the descendants of frontier guards sent during the 11th century to protect the Kingdom of Hungary. Most of them live near the two district capitals of Oberwart/Felsőőr and Oberpullendorf/Felsőpulya. Burgenland place names contain the elements 'Schützen' or 'Wart' (as in Obserschützen, Unterwart etc.), constituting the linguistic testimony of that historic period.

Hungarian is the traditional language of Burgenland, where it is spoken by around 1,000 people

Hungarian has traditionally held an important position in Austria due to the historical ties between the two countries. The city of Vienna became a key cultural centre for Hungarians in the 17th century, and Hungarian students graduated from Vienna University. There was an increasing influx of Hungarian craftsmen into Vienna from the 17th century onwards. By 1910, 130,300 residents of Vienna were citizens of the Hungarian part of the empire, although only 45,000 of them were ethnically Hungarian. After World War I, a re-emigration started, and in the Interwar period, Hungarians in Austria numbered between 1,000 and 2,000 people. Today, some 27,000 Hungarians live in Vienna.

Hungarians have lived in Vienna since 1541

In 1910, 130,300 residents of Vienna were citizens of the Hungarian part of the empire, but only 45,000 of them were ethnically Hungarian. After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, many of the Viennese Hungarians returned to Hungary. Today, Vienna is home to a small Hungarian population of around 27,000.

The total number of Hungarian speakers in Austria is estimated at around 40,000, with 6,600 in Burgenland. Most of the Burgenland Hungarians live near the two district capitals of Oberwart/Felsőőr and Oberpullendorf/Felsőpulya. Hungarians of Burgenland are the descendants of frontier guards sent during the 11th century to protect the Kingdom of Hungary.

Hungarians are recognised as an official minority in Austria

Hungary and Austria have a long shared history. Hungarians established a community in Vienna in 1541, and by the end of the 17th century, the city had become a key cultural centre for Hungarians. Hungarian students graduated from Vienna University, and from the 17th century onwards, there was an increasing influx of Hungarian craftsmen into Vienna. In 1910, 130,300 residents of Vienna were citizens of the Hungarian part of the empire, though only 45,000 of them were ethnically Hungarian. After World War I, a re-emigration began, and in the Interwar period, Hungarians in Austria numbered between 1,000 and 2,000 people.

In 2001, the number of Hungarians in Austria was 25,884, with 10,686 in Vienna and 4,704 in Burgenland. The total number of Hungarian speakers is estimated at around 40,000, with 6,600 in Burgenland. Most of the Burgenland Hungarians live near the two district capitals of Oberwart/Felsőőr and Oberpullendorf/Felsőpulya.

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