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CHAPTER 5 BACKGROUND INFORMATION
With regard to media-related language use tendencies, a reversed tendency
than in the situation-related language use patterns emerges. English is more
frequently used for media (infotainment) purposes than Hungarian in both G1
and G2 groups. Hungarian is the most frequently used when speaking on the
phone with Hungarians in the US (3.3). English is used for reading for work,
for watching films, and listening to the radio (3.1 each).
Table 16: Media-related language use
What language do you use when ...? Hungarian | English Mixed
watching TV 0.8 3.1 wee
reading books 2 2.7 x
reading the news 1.3 2.9 wee
reading magazines 1.2 2.8 wee
reading for work 0.7 3.1 wee
watching films / DVDs 1.3 3.1 wee
listening to the radio 0.8 3.1 wee
listening to music 1.5 2.6 wee
reading internet sites 1.7 2.7 0.2
exchanging emails with Hungarians in 2.6 1.2 0.4
writing notes (shopping lists, to do lists) 1.8 2.1 0.8
ranger the phone with Hungarians 3.3 0.9 07
reading and writing recipes 1.7 2 0.5
writing birthday cards 1.9 2.2 0.5
Generational affiliation seems to be a determinant factor in terms of media¬
related language use patterns as well, as there is a marked decline in the use
of Hungarian among G2 speakers in all media-related domains as compared
to their Gl counterparts.
In conclusion, the Hungarian-American community in North Carolina,
more particularly in the Research Triangle, seems to be an educationally
highly prestigious, aging community, where two subgroups along generational
affiliation can be set up with regard to their sociolinguistic characteristics,
language use patterns, and attitudes to language usage.
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