The Latvian language, steeped in history and culture, stands as a cornerstone of Latvia's national identity. In this article, we delve into this Baltic language.
What language do they speak in Latvia?
Contemporary Latvian is spoken in the western regions of the country, while Latgalian is used in the east. Although these two languages share mutual intelligibility, Latgalian incorporates certain archaic words and expressions that are absent in modern Latvian. If you opt for Latvian language classes as an international student, the usual focus is on teaching Modern Latvian, as spoken in the western part of the country.
Official language of Latvia
Latvian holds the exclusive status of the official language in Latvia and serves as the native language for 62% of the population, with a notably higher percentage exceeding 90% in villages and towns outside Latgale. Throughout Latvia, all public signs are in Latvian.
How was the Latvian language formed?
The emergence of Latvian as a distinct language unfolded gradually across several centuries, evolving from the language spoken by the ancient Latgalians. This transformation involved the assimilation of languages from neighboring Baltic tribes, including Curonian, Semigallian, and Selonian. As a result, these languages gradually lost their most distinct characteristics. The consolidation process began in the 13th century after the Livonian Crusade and forced Christianization. This period formed a cohesive political, economic, and religious space in Medieval Livonia.
What language is used in Latvia?
Aside from Latvian, Latgalian is spoken as a unique regional language in certain areas, especially in Latgale in eastern Latvia. Nevertheless, Latvian maintains its position as the prevalent and official language employed in government, educational institutions, and daily interactions across the entire country.
Russian language in Latvia
On September 28 2023, the Latvian parliament endorsed the "National Security Concept," a government-endorsed policy planning document. According to this document, starting from January 1, 2026, all content created by public media must exclusively be in Latvian and languages associated with the European cultural space. This decision would effectively restrict Latvian TV and Latvian Radio from producing content in Russian.
