Latvian (latviešu valoda)

Latvian is a Baltic language related to Lithuanian and Old Prussian with about 1.4 million speakers in Latvia. There are also Latvian speakers in the USA, Russia, Australia, Canada, Germany, the UK, Sweden, Lithuania, Ukraine, Estonia, Brazil and Belarus.

The first publication to be printed in Latvian was a catechism which appeared in 1585. The first Latvian dictionary, Lettus, was compiled by Georg Mancelius in 1638. The German monks who wrote these texts used a version of the the Fractur alphabet adapted from German which was ill suited to the Latvian language. This alphabet was used until the mid 1930s, when it was replaced with a modified version of the Latin alphabet devised by Dr. J. Endzelins and K. Mühlenbach.

Latvian alphabet (latviešu alfabēts) & pronunciation

Latvian alphabet & pronunciation

Sample text in Latvian

Visi cilvēki piedzimst brīvi un vienlīdzīgi savā pašcieņā un tiesībās. Viņi ir apveltīti ar saprātu un sirdsapziņu, un viņiem jāizturas citam pret citu brālības garā.

Translation

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Longer sample text (Tower of Babel)

Useful phrases in Latvian

Latvian language courses, dictionaries, etc.

Links

Information about the Latvian language
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latvian_language

Learn Latvian online
http://www.codefusion.com/latvianasp/latonline.asp

Introductions to Latvian grammar
http://ai1.mii.lu.lv/lgram-ww/lgrame.htm
http://courses.washington.edu/latvian/basic_latvian/html/grammar_introduction.htm

The Latvian Language - phrases, lessons, stories and other resources
http://ai1.mii.lu.lv/home1.htm

Online Latvian-English dictionary
http://dictionary.site.lv

Online Latvian radio and news
http://www.latviansonline.com
http://www.radio.org.lv
http://www.brivaeiropa.org

Toronto Zinas - the (only) bilingual Latvian e-zine (in Latvian and English)
http://www.torontozinas.com

Related languages

Latvian, Lithuanian

Other languages written with the Latin alphabet