Sociolinguistics of Language in Latvia and Susceptibility to Populistic rhetoric

• In Event: Linguistic and Mnemonic Cleavages

Abstract

Despite more than 30 years having passed, since Latvia regained independence from the USSR, this EU country displays relatively high gender inequality and interethnic tension. According to the European Institute for Gender Equality, Latvia’s Gender Equality index is below the EU average, being at 61,4, as well as having one of the lowest percentages of people, who agree, that gay, bisexual or lesbian people should have the same rights as heterosexual people – only 49 %. Furthermore, there’s a significant difference between support for Ukraine between ethnic groups: among Latvian-speaking families, 78% support Ukraine, while only 27% among Russian-speaking families support Ukraine.

With multiple new populistic parties in the parliament only increasing this friction, it is important to gauge the newest generations viewpoint on these issues, as well as the language they use to describe it. With the help of surveys conducted in the three biggest cities of Latvia in April, May and September of 2023, I have questioned both Russian- and Latvian speakers predominantly ages 16–21 on the language they would use, to describe the other linguistic group, if they’ve experienced discrimination due to their mothertongue (where and how often), if they are able to recognize populistic speech tropes, what media do they consume and more.

The results and their mutual correlations with, for example, the impact of the skill in the “other” language on attitudes towards the “other” linguistic group or impact of religion or place of origin on political attitudes will also be showcased.

Short Bio

Kaspars Zalāns received his Bachelor’s degree in Multimedia Journalism from Glasgow Caledonian University and further received his master’s with excellence in literature from University of Latvia. His master’s thesis and subsequent research dealt mainly with exploration of gender roles and masculinity in contemporary Latvian poetry. Additionally, he has examined linguistics and stylistics in early Latvian postmodernism.
Currently his research deals with populism’s impact on the Latvian youth and young people’s sociolinguistic tendencies. For his master’s thesis, Kaspars Zalāns has received two science awards: “The New Scientist” award, Latvian Academy of Sciences, 2020, and the “Kārlis Dziļlejs promotional award”, Kārlis Dziļlejs fond, 2019.

Alongside research work, he has worked as a book editor, proofreader and translator from 2019 until 2022, working with contemporary fiction, classics, poetry and popular science.

Author

• Kaspars Zalāns, University of Greifswald