its common knowledge that Russian has influenced Latvian very much, but how about the other way around? have russians of latvia picked up some latvian words and expressions?
Iβm from the Unites States and only know English (yes I know, Iβm a stereotype) but Iβd love to learn Latvian to be able to talk to my friend in her native language and also communicate better with other people throughout Latvia. Is there a βbestβ way to go about learning the language? Iβve searched for apps or things like that and havenβt had much luck. Any suggestions? Paldies!
I'm a recent graphic design graduate with a solid portfolio and fluent English. I've been considering working in Latvia (Riga) for a few years. How difficult is it to find work if you don't speak Latvian?
Is there a company that speaks English that you would recommend?
Just ask me! I understand basically any language and I want to "show off"
I used Google Translator to see how a pagan chant would be in Latvian and got this:
Ε‘ajΔ vecajΔ mΔjΔ. ---------- in this old house.
tΔlu no laika vaΕΎΔm. ---------- far from the shackles of time.
kur savijuΕ‘ies zari un stumbri. ---------- where twigs and trunks entwined.
kas ved uz augstΔkajΔm sfΔrΔm. ---------- leading to realms above.
Es tevi izsaucu. ---------- I summon thee.
MΔte ΔΕ«ska. ---------- Mother Snake.
.
Ε‘ajΔ vecajΔ mΔjΔ. ---------- in this old house.
tΔlu no laika vaΕΎΔm. ---------- far from the shackles of time.
kur indes upes. ---------- where rivers of poison.
iznΔ«cina cilvΔku maldus. ---------- destroy human fallacies.
Es tevi izsaucu. ---------- I summon thee.
MΔsa ΔΕ«skas. ---------- Sister Snakes.
.
Ε‘ajΔ vecajΔ mΔjΔ. ---------- in this old house.
tΔlu no laika vaΕΎΔm. ---------- far from the shackles of time.
kur ritms un transs. ---------- where rhythm and trance.
ir saistΔ«ti mΕ«su dvΔselΔs. ---------- are bound in our souls.
Es tevi izsaucu. ---------- I summon thee.
JaunΔs ΔΕ«skas. ---------- Young Snakes.
Does it sound right? Is this how a Latvian person would translate?
Sveiki! Last summer I was on a trip to Latvia and enjoyed the trip, after that I became interested in the Latvian language, we share a lot of similarities and the people are nice.
Anyone know any resources for learning latvian (textbooks etc.)?
Also, I have a question for lithuanians who have learned latvian to some extent: kaip jΕ«s sugebΔjotΔ iΕ‘mokti latviΕ³ kalbΔ , kΔ maΕΎdaug naudojote iΕ‘mokti? Ar yra gerΕ³ resursΕ³ lietuviΕ³ kalba (el. ΕΎodynas, vadovΔlis ar pan.)?
Also, I plan to travel to Latvia once again next summer, and I'll try to talk to some of the locals there! Thank you.
Hello dear Latvians,
So, as the title says, songs in Latvian. Iβd be really grateful if you, dear Latvians, would write your top 3 (or more! Thereβs no limit) songs in Latvian language only. Year, genre, controversy, popularity β it all doesn't matter. All that matters is that you feel this song, it is special for you and it speaks to you.
A song that your uncle used to play on every family gathering and you used to hate it but later actually thought that there is something cool about it? Bring it here. A song from your region that is so specific even people from other regions think itβs weird? Excellent, bring it here. An old folk song about going on a war and leaving beautiful girl and old parents? Bring it here. A song that used to be popular 50 years ago but nowadays even older people donβt listen to it because the song is unacceptably unlistenable? Awesome, bring it here. A song for supporting your national football team? Bring it here. A song... well, you got the point.
The only criteria for the song β it must be in Latvian. Dialect, literary form or spoken β doesn't matter.
Who do you talk to, where and how do you get your goods and services, where do you live and how does your community operate? Can you make do without learning the language?
Hello , so I'm looking for a private tutor to do some online skype/zoom etc lessons preferably at least once a week. I'm at about an A1/A2 level but would like to become fluent over time. I've checked the normal sites such as ss.com etc , but just wondering if there are any more options out there ? Thanks ! Paldies !
Another mysteriously sourced broadcast went out over the airwaves in Latvian, this one delivered by exiled Latvian Bishop JΔzeps RancΔns, at present the chairman of the Latvian Central Council-- an organization long wishing to be recognized as the legitimate government of Latvia, formed by members of the prewar Latvian democratic parties.
The bishop, exiled from the Archdiocese of Riga by the communist authorities, spoke of the deprivation exiled Latvians have experienced at the hands of the Gestapo and more recently the NKVD. He became chairman of the LCC after the last exiled President died in office, and speaks for thousands of their exiled brothers who suffered the 1940 occupation, the 1941 invasion by Germany, years of brutal German occupation, and finally the counterattack by the Soviets that has left their country occupied even until today. Many of the Latvian exiles have family in Latvia, friends they left behind in advance of one invading army or the other. It was an offense against decency that families should be separated by any government, especially one so steeped in anti-theism as that of the Soviet Union.
While the LCC labored under the impression that negotiation could somehow see Latvia freed, the patriot in every Latvian would like to one day return to Riga a free city that hosts a democratic government. Without directly calling for a violent upheaval, the Bishop did finish his broadcast to his homeland with a prayer for the Latvian people and for their brothers and sisters resisting the Soviets.
Is there anything problematic with those languages? Why did they do wrong?
Hi. I'm married to a Latvian and now trying to make an effort to learn the language as I want to be able to communicate better when we visit. I have a few books but just wondering if there are books or resources that people recommend that I could use to increase vocabulary, learn verbs, and improve my understanding of spoken Latvian and just general conversational Latvian.
This is a very niche topic but I was wondering if anyone here knew more about the Livonian dialect of Latvian(not the Livonian language). It is very difficult to find information about this but I find it fascinating. Is it true it is almost a simplified version of Latvian with only one verb form? If anyone can find me examples and materials that would be great. Thanks!
Hello,
I want to start learning Latvian so I'm looking to find a vocabulary app to start learning words, I think having vocab first and looking to grammar later makes more sense because you can still speak and read with broken grammar but not the other way round.
Does anyone have a specific recommendation as to what I could use? I looked at a few Anki decks but they were all not that great either lacking pronunciation or an English translation. So if anyone has found something that works i would really appreciate it :)
