On March 29, at the age of seventy-nine, Ádám Nádasdy – linguist, poet, literary translator, professor emeritus at ELTE School of English and American Studies, and an irreplaceable presence in contemporary Hungarian intellectual life – passed away.

Born in Budapest in 1947, Nádasdy graduated from the ELTE Faculty of Humanities, where he later became a distinguished professor of English linguistics. His research ranged from phonology to the history of the English language, yet his influence reached far beyond academia: he brought the study of language to life for generations, making it accessible, engaging, and deeply human.

He was also a prolific poet and essayist, known for his clarity of thought, gentle irony, and profound humanism. As a literary translator, he achieved exceptional acclaim. His renderings of Shakespeare – and, most recently, Dante – offered fresh, resonant voices to classical texts, opening them to a broad and appreciative readership.

Students admired him not only for his expertise, but for his openness, wit, and warmth. His lectures were a delight to attend and left a lasting mark on many.

With Ádám Nádasdy’s passing, Hungarian academic and literary life has lost a truly singular figure. His students, colleagues, and readers remember him with deep respect and affection.

The ELTE community shares in the grief of his family and loved ones.