Kabars and Hungarians Prestige and bilingualism

Abstract

The study deals with the problem of the prestige and bilingualism presented through the Hungarian-Kabar cohabitation. The interpretation of the role of the Kabars as an auxiliary people of the 9-10th centuries Hungarian Tribal Alliance is generally accepted in Hungarian research. Therefore researchers did not calculate with the significant role of the language of Kabars in the loaning of the Turkish elements of the Hungarian language. It seems contradict this the 39th chapters of the 10th century De Administrando Imperio, which tells about the mutual bilingualism of the Turks (Magyars) and the Kabars. This is the single written source of the probable Turkish- Hungarian bilingualism, which is presumed by the Hungarian language history. So, the subordinated position of the Kabars in the Hungarian Tribal Alliance cannot be considered a certain fact. The establishment of the Hungarian Nomadic State was initiated by the Khazar khagan, by nominating the first Hungarian prince. This process is connected with the joining of the powerful Kabars, who seceded from the Khazars. After the joining of the Kabars, the double kingship was established among the Hungarians. The titles of the princes of the Hungarians, K.nd.h (kündü) and the G.l.h (gyula) are probably of Khazar origin. In addition to these, in the 10th century Hungarian terminology of the state and the conception of state life, a serious Khazar influence can be observed. All these phenomena could be a result of nearly a century long Hungarian-Kabar cohabitation, but not the result of the just three years long Khazar-Hungarian cooperation. Therefore, it is necessary to accept the story of DAI presenting the significance of the Kabars among the Hungarians.