Latvian

Indo-European (Baltic)1.8 million totalLatin

RegionLatvia

FamilyIndo-European (Baltic)

Speakers1.8 million total

ScriptLatin

TypeAlphabetic

About Latvian

One of only two living Baltic languages. Distinguishes three tones on long vowels, rare in Europe. Personal names are regulated by an official list. The Song and Dance Festival fills a stadium with tens of thousands of singers. Not mutually intelligible with Lithuanian.

Related Languages

Lithuanian

Indo-European3 millionLatin

The most conservative living Indo-European language. Retains sounds and case endings lost everywhere...