Language Policy in Latvia
Latvian language is the cornerstone of Latvian identity. That is why Latvians cultivate their language sparing little effort. Since the independence of Latvia in 1918, the Latvian language formed into a well-developed, multifunctional language with an established system of styles and developed terminology.
The Soviet occupation put Latvian in social bilingualism with Russian – the designated language of communication between Soviet peoples. Latvian was gradually ousted from most of public sector. Massive immigration decreased the percentage of Latvian speakers. By 1989 only 21% of Latvian minorities declared knowing Latvian while most Latvians knew Russian. Russification of Latvia attained preconditions for imminent language shift.
Current language policy protects and develops the languages of Latvia’s minorities while integrating the society via Latvian as the official language. The Latvian government runs programmes for teaching Latvian since the 1990’s. By 2008 about 93% of Latvian minorities acknowledged having some Latvian language skills. In Latvia today, 9 out of every 10 inhabitants of speak Latvian. It is one of only 200 languages in the world with over a million users.
Latvian government covers bilingual education in eight largest minority languages: Belarussian, Estonian, Jewish, Lithuanian, Polish, Roma, Russian, and Ukrainian. In bilingual schools or classes Latvian is taught as a second language to provide command of Latvian and promote social integration.
Latvian government covers bilingual education in eight largest minority languages: Belarussian, Estonian, Jewish, Lithuanian, Polish, Roma, Russian, and Ukrainian. In bilingual schools or classes Latvian is taught as a second language to provide command of Latvian and promote social integration.
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