Latvian

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.

A recording of this text by Kristine Bekere

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)

  • Categoria dell'articolo:Lingue
  • Tempo di lettura:2 minuti di lettura