The role of Livonian in Latvia from a sociolinguistic perspective

Abstract

This article examines the role of Livonian in present-day Latvia and describes the Livonian language situation in the context of Latvia's language situation and current sociolinguistic issues. It describes how Livonian language and culture are represented in Latvian law, along with possibilities for realising Livonian language rights, bringing attention to the Livonians as an ethnicity, and understanding issues relating to Livonian, while also describing the use of terminology in the Livonian context. The Livonians cannot exactly be described as a "minority". The Livonians are something more, they are a part of the modern Latvian language and also of Latvian culture and the culture of Latvia in general. And yet, the Livonian nation and language are independent entities. Therefore, the position of Livonian within Latvia should be seen from two perspectives: the preservation, development, and revitalisation of the use of Livonian as well as the mutual influence of Livonian and Latvian.

Livonian in the linguistic landscape

“…The status of Livonian as an indigenous language means that Livonian is different from any other language or variety used in the territory of Latvia, including Latvian and all of its varieties. In the context of the current languages in Latvia, it is not directly comparable to other languages or their varieties -neither to ethnic minority languages, nor to the situations or experiences of Latvian varieties -due to differences in positioning, the language rights perspective, conditions for vitality, and competition among languages (Bruyèl-Olmedo & Juan-Garau 2015, Pietikäinen et al 2011, Druviete & Kļava 2018.…”

Language resources and tools for Livonian

“…Currently, Livonian is considered a critically endangered language (Moseley 2010). However, compared to many other critically endangered languages, as a result of almost two centuries of col lecting language data, Livonian is documented relatively well, especially taking into account its small number of speakers (at present, some 20-30 according to estimates; Druviete & Kļava 2018). This has created some preconditions for bringing Livonian into the digital space -both in terms of accessibility of the language data for better research and ensuring overall sustainability of Livonian by improving access to language sources for the Livonian community.…”