The Latvian referendum on Russian as a second state language, February 2012

Abstract

On 18 February 2012 Latvian citizens participated in a referendum on making Russian a second official (“state”) language. The proposal was rejected by three-quarters of voters. There is a complex background to language policy in Latvia, where since regaining independence in 1991 the country has promoted Latvian as the only state language, though Russian and other languages are widely used at a societal level. The language law and associated citizenship law in Latvia (as in Estonia) have received considerable commentary, with recent significant writings disagreeing strongly regarding their interpretation. These laws have also very often been criticized by both European institutions and by Russia, yet are tenaciously clung to as a basis of Latvian sovereignty. Proficiency in Latvian among previous non-speakers of this language has improved markedly since regained independence, and generally there has been little interpersonal or community confict over language. The move for a referendum, promoted by Russian groups of a highly political character, and with a particular discourse about Latvia and language, brings a new phase to an ongoing language policy issue. Subsequent events both in Latvia (in the form of a constitutional amendment) and in Ukraine (in the form of both language law and armed conflict) show language policy being increasingly influenced by wider political forces.

Pārliecība. Valoda, sabiedrība, politika

“…Parasti ar tradīcijas vai likuma spēku tiek nodrošinātas pilsoņu tiesības lietot šo valodu visā valsts teritorijā, šīs valodas prasme ir nepieciešama, lai varētu darboties noteiktās profesijās, tās apguve ir obligāta izglītības sistēmā, kā arī valsts līmenī tiek nodrošināta šo valodu izpēte un standartizācija." Druviete 2012) Pirmajos latviski izdotajos normatīvajos aktos izmantoti apzīmējumi darīšanu valoda, oficiālos rakstos lietojama valoda. T. s. Iskolata republikas laikā tika izdots "Dekrēts par darīšanu valodu Latvijas oficiālajās iestādēs", kurā noteikts: "Latvijas Strādnieku, kareivju un bezzemnieku deputātu padomes Izpildu komiteja ar šo paziņo, ka visās Latvijas oficiālajās iestādēs (guberņās, apriņķos, pilsētās, miestos un pagastos) lietojama latviešu valoda visās darīšanās."…”

Language competence in education: Re-thinking minority issues in Lithuania

“…The language policies, linguistic integration, and education of ethnic minorities across the Baltic states have been addressed in many publications (Hogan-Brun et al 2005, Siiner 2006, Druviete 1997, Druviete, Ozolins 2016, Rannut 2008, Hogan-Brun, Ozolins, Ramonienė, Rannut 2009, Muiznieks 2010, Potashenko 2010, Vihalemm 2010, Marten et al 2012, Vihalemm, Hogan-Brun 2013, Veisbergs 2013, Lauze, Kļava et al 2016, Vaicekauskienė, Šepetys 2016, Lazdiņa 2013, Lazdiņa, Marten 2019. However, there are indications that there still exists a need for more systematic and interdisciplinary research of sociolinguists, educational scientists, sociologists, and practitioners to understand the dynamics of languages in education.…”

The role of Livonian in Latvia from a sociolinguistic perspective

“…In 2014, after the precarious referendum on the State language of Latvia (see Druviete, Ozolins 2016), the Preamble of the Constitution was adopted: "Latvijas identitāti Eiropas kultūrtelpā kopš senlaikiem veido latviešu un lībiešu tradīcijas, latviskā dzīvesziņa, latviešu valoda, vispārcilvēciskās un kristīgās vērtības"/ "Since ancient times, the identity of Latvia in the European cultural space has been shaped by Latvian and Liv traditions, Latvian folk wisdom, the Latvian language, universal human and Christian values" (translation by the State Language Centre). The fact that in this Preamble, the Latvian language is mentioned three times demonstrates the high position of language among national identity issues.…”