Times Change – Language Changes: the Role of Politically Correct Language in Modern Latvian Society

• In Event: Issues in Transformation and Preservation of Language

Abstract

Despite globalization, a spirit of patriotism can be felt in Latvia both today and historically, as well as a relatively strict separation according to the principle "own - foreign". Closely related to identity, a sense of belonging creates security by separating "us" from "them" and highlighting the positive qualities of one's group or emphasizing the negative qualities of "them", especially after Russians started the war in Ukraine. The paper aims to reflect the semantics of the ethnonyms of different nationalities in the perception of Latvian modern society. For this purpose, the author of the paper created a survey and asked users of various social networks (Twitter.com, Facebook.com, Draugiem.lv) to participate in it. Respondents were identified not only in Latvia but also by Latvians living abroad. Respondents had to evaluate different concepts to assess whether the connotation of their messages was positive, neutral, negative, or difficult to determine. The paper looks at 8 of the 15 suggested concepts: “žīds” (Yid), “ebrejs” (Jew), nēģeris (Nigger), “melnādainais” (black-skinned), “čigāns” (Gypsy), “roms” (Roman), “krievs” (Russian), “krievvalodīgais” (Russian speaking). The object of research is the data obtained in the questionnaire, the method of data analysis used is quantitative content analysis. Although nowadays State Language Centre Republic of Latvia have indicated that the term nēģeris (Nigger) does not have a negative connotation, half of the respondents believe that this term has a negative message. Even though the term žīds (Yid) has not had a negative connotation in the past, 71% of respondents indicated that it has a negative connotation today.

Short Bio

Lingita Lina Henritiusa is a PhD student at the University of Latvia working on a thesis: "Ethnic, National, and Religious Identity in Latvian Anecdotes”. She is a Latvian language lecturer at the private language learning center. Her research interests are related to various ethnic minority groups, ethnonyms in the Latvian language, and traditional culture.

Author

• Lingita Lina Henritiusa, University of Latvia