Transylvania and Târgu Mureș in the Time of Lorand Gaspar. The Premises of His Multilingualism and the Translator to Come

The present study focuses on creating a comprehensive image of the political, cultural, and social historical background in which Lorand Gaspar was born and raised. Aiming to reveal the main historical phases of his birthplace’s evolution, our article centres on demonstrating how the multiethnic and multicultural context of the author’s early years significantly influenced his future professional and literary career. The study is organised into two parts: the first offers a historical overview of Transylvania and Târgu Mureș, concentrating on the interwar period. This section also references local and regional identities, such as the emergence of “Transylvanianism” as an expression of ethnic Hungarian identity. Additionally, it seeks to clarify the frequently used term “Est Transylvania” (Transylvanie orientale), which Lorand Gaspar and his exegetes refer to. The second part emphasises the Francophone beginnings in Târgu Mureș, providing relevant information about Gaspar’s acquaintance with the French language, utilising school reports and references to the French presence in the area.