I don't understand Hungarian but I need to do research for my novel!

April 17, 2008 6:46 AM

(Posting for a Friend) "I am doing research for a novel I'm writing. But since I'm no longer affiliated with a university I'm having a difficult time in getting responses from professors and specialists that I have contacted with questions. How can I increase my chances of having them take me seriously and answer my questions? Also, does anyone have advice for a non-Hungarian speaker to do research with the Hungarian Archives?" Thank you!
posted by lolalivia to Writing & Language (6 answers total)

I do know someone who knows Hungarian quite well and is a professional translator. She lives in The Netherlands, but should be able to do English <> Hungarian as well as Dutch <> Hungarian. If your friend can compensate for work hours and expenses, feel free to email me and I will forward your proposal to my friend. henszimmerman at gmail dot com. Good luck!
posted by hz37 at 7:15 AM on April 17, 2008

Is your friend asking for help with his research or is he asking the specialists to do his research for him? Has he done his library time, read the standard works on the topic, taken notes?

I am a professor and when I get those "Hi please do my research for me" emails I delete them. On the other hand when someone says "I have read X Y and Z, but still have questions about X, what else should I read?" I will take the time to make some reading recommendations.
posted by LarryC at 7:53 AM on April 17, 2008

I am a professor. When people (non-students and non-collaborators, that is) ask me to answer their questions, I reply with my consulting rate, $450/hour. If your friend is having difficulty being taken seriously, perhaps the offered compensation is inadequate?
posted by Wet Spot at 8:17 AM on April 17, 2008

I am a librarian at a public University. Our school policy is that we don't answer in-depth research questions via phone or email for non-affiliates. If he/she comes in and talks to a librarian face to face, they will get more help.
posted by holyrood at 11:00 AM on April 17, 2008

Is your friend in Budapest? If so, I bet that s/he could find an English-speaking student to help conduct at the National Archives - I would recommend posting at the ELTE or the CEU. If not in Budapest, then I'm not sure exactly what info your friend is seeking. I know that generally the staff at the National Archives cannot fulfill research requests - they spend their time serving up documents which people have ferreted out, and you have to submit requests for documents in person.

I speak Hungarian, so if there is a quick question or translation that would help your friend past a roadblock, let me know.
posted by that possible maker of pork sausages at 12:21 PM on April 17, 2008

Response by poster: My friend has done as much research as she can in English but needs information from Family Archives from the National Archives in Hungary. She has something resembling an index of sorts on what they have and has been in touch via email with the Archives on getting these questions answered. However, she is not sure if she will be able to go to Hungary in person to request these documents and wants to be as precise as possible when requesting the information she needs. Once she would actually get the information, however, she would be unable to read any of it.

Also, she has contacted professors specializing in her subject requesting advice on research (ie. where to go to find it, any snags they experienced in their own research, etc.) but has yet to receive any response from any of them which is frustrating for her.

I will pass on the information posted so far - thank you, everyone, for such helpful info!
posted by lolalivia at 7:57 AM on April 18, 2008