“Continuity of Livonian: Understanding language transmission processes in a critically endangered contemporary indigenous community to develop process-driven instruments for preservation and revitalisation” FLPP, Nr. lzp-2023/1-0264. Project manager – Gunta Kļava, senior researcher at the Livonian Institute of the University of Latvia. The Livonian Institute is the lead institution for the implementation of the project at the University of Latvia.
Project implementation period: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026.
Total project funding: EUR 300,000.
The project explores the use and acquisition of endangered languages in an open and digital society; ways in which language (and thus identity and intangible heritage) is passed on in situations where transmission within families does not occur; tools that can be used to ensure the transmission, use, and development of such languages. The project explores processes in future society, thereby making a direct contribution to the preservation of global linguistic and cultural diversity. It will provide knowledge and understanding of language inheritance and ways to ensure its survival in endangered communities today and in the future.
Planned results of the project:
- at least 5 original scientific articles submitted or accepted for publication in journals or conference proceedings included in the Web of Science or SCOPUS databases, including those with a citation index of at least 50 percent of the industry average citation index;
- participation in at least 8 international conferences;
- successfully defended master’s thesis on the project topic;
- 1 scientific data set developed in the project;
- 1 report on policy and policy recommendations;
- project application submitted to an international or national research project competition.
Project scientific group: Dr. philol. Gunta Kļava – project manager, Dr. phil. Valts Ernštreits – principal investigator, Dr. phil. Uldis Balodis – principal investigator, Mg. soc. Lolita Ozoliņa – investigator, Mg. art. Bridžita Moran-Nae – expert, Mg. philol. Anna Sedlāčkova – investigator (student).
Results
Participation in conferences
Balodis, Uldis, Pajusalu, Karl, Ernštreits, Valts. 31.10.2025. Võru Institute International Conference “Indigenous languages and cultures in the time(s) of change”, Võru, Estonia, presentation “Loodusnimed läänemeresoome kohanimedes Lätis” (Nature words in Finnic place names in Latvia)”. More about the conference here.
Moran-Nae, Bridget. 22–25 October 2025. Foundation for Endangered Languages Conference XXIX, University of the Basque Country, Spain, paper “Creating a Sustainable Revitalization Strategy for Livonian: What Can We Learn from Musical Performers?”. More about the conference here.
Ernštreits, Valts. 14–15 September 2025. Tartu University Center of Excellence in Transdisciplinary Research on Ethnogenesis and Cultural Diversity, Gulf of Riga Research Seminar, Kihnu Community Center and Kihnu Island Museum, Estonia, presentation “Liivi lahe rahvad, keeled ja ilmakaared” (The Peoples, Languages and Sky of the Gulf of Riga).
Kļava, Gunta. 12–14 September 2025. Kyoto University International Conference “IV International Conference on the Revitalization of Indigenous and Minoritized Languages”, Kyoto University, Kyoto, presentation “From Symbolic Role to Everyday Speech: Revitalizing Livonian as a Living Language”. More about the conference here.
Ernštreits, Valts. 12–14 September 2025. Kyoto University International Conference “IV International Conference on the Revitalization of Indigenous and Minoritized Languages”, Kyoto University, Kyoto, presentation “Bridging the Digital Divide: Latvia’s Indigenous Livonian Case”. More about the conference here.
Moran-Nae, Bridget. 18–23 August 2025. University of Tartu Congress “XIV Congressus Internationalis Fenno-Ugristarum” CIFU XIV, University of Tartu, Tartu, presentation “The Intersection of Music and Language Revitalization – Livonian Musical Performers”. More about the congress here.
Kļava, Gunta. 18–23 August 2025. Tartu University Congress “XIV Congressus Internationalis Fenno-Ugristarum” CIFU XIV, Tartu University, Tartu, paper “We Can Speak in Livonian—From Livonian as a Stage and Written Language to a Spoken Language”. More about the congress here.
Ernštreits, Valts. 18–23 August 2025. Tartu University Congress “XIV Congressus Internationalis Fenno-Ugristarum” CIFU XIV, Tartu University, Tartu, plenary paper “Building a Future for Livonian”. More about the congress here.
Kļava, Gunta. 12–14 June 2025. Potsdam University PoSla Typology Laboratory and LU Livonian Institute international conference LCU 2025 “Areal linguistics and language contact of Uralic languages. Language-specific and typological approaches”, Latvian National Library, Riga, presentation “Mapping Language Transmission Processes in Livonian”. Conference website and program.
Ernštreits, Valts. 23–24 May 2025. International scientific conference “500 Years of Latvian and Estonian Books and Written Language” organized by the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Latvia and the National Library of Latvia as part of the series “500 Years of Latvian Books,” presentation “The Path Towards Literary Livonian.” Conference program.
Moran-Nae, Bridget, Sedláčková, Anna. 24–26 April 2025. AABS 16th European Conference on Baltic Studies “Converging Paths: The Baltic Between East and West”, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, paper “Sustainable revitalization strategies for Livonian and other endangered communities of the Baltic region”. Conference program.
Kļava, Gunta, Ernštreits, Valts. 24–26 April 2025. AABS European 16th Baltic Studies Conference “Converging Paths: The Baltic Between East and West”, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, paper “Changes in language attitudes and behaviour to reinstate proficiency of Livonian”. Conference program.
Kļava, Gunta. 15.11.2024. International scientific conference of the Department of Latvian and Baltic Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of Latvia, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of University of Latvia professor Marta Rudzīte (1924–1996) “Current Research in Baltic Linguistics”, paper “Materials Related to Marta Rudzīte in the Collection of the LU Livonian Institute”, which examines the use of these materials in the documentation and research of the Livonian language and its heritage. Conference program.
Ernštreits, Valts, Kļava, Gunta. 8–13 September 2024. 21st International Congress of Linguistics, ICL 2024, Poznań, Poland, paper “Indigenous language without an area: inheritance-based language policies for language revitalization” on language policy in efforts to revitalize the Livonian language. Conference program.
Moran-Nae, Bridget. 26–28 June 2024. International interdisciplinary conference “Livonica 3 + Minor Finnic Languages 2 = 5”, Livonian Institute of the University of Latvia in cooperation with the Interdisciplinary Study Group of Archaeology, Genetics and Linguistics of the University of Tartu and Eesti Juured, presentation “Traditional music groups and the revitalization of Livonian in Latvia”.
Kļava, Gunta. 26–28 June 2024. International interdisciplinary conference “Livonica 3 + Minor Finnic Languages 2 = 5”, Latvian University Livonian Institute in cooperation with Tartu University Interdisciplinary Research Group for Archaeology, Genetics and Linguistics and Eesti Juured, presentation “Language transmission processes in the context of the revitalisation of Livonian”. Conference program.
Ernštreits, Valts, Kļava, Gunta. 13–16 June 2024. AABS (Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies) international conference “The Baltic Way: Unity and Giving Aid” at Yale University, USA, presentation “Livonians – sustaining the indigenous language of Latvia through the wars and displacement”. Conference program.
Moran-Nae, Bridget. May 27–31, 2024. IFUSCO 2024 Finno-ugric Student Conference in Budapest, presentation “Musikgruppen und die Revitalisierung des Livischen” (Music Groups and the Revitalization of Livonian). More about the conference here.
Kļava, Gunta. May 17, 2024. RTU Liepāja Academy XXI International Scientific Conference “Language Acquisition: Problems and Perspectives,” presentation “Opportunities for Expanding Language Acquisition and Use in a Critically Endangered Language Situation.” Conference program.
Master’s thesis defended
In 2024, project researcher Bridget Moran-Nae defended her master’s thesis “If there are no opportunities to speak, at least there are opportunities to sing – Traditional music groups and the revitalization of Livonian in Latvia” at the University of Groningen and obtained a master’s degree in linguistics.
Organized conferences, events, courses, etc.
June 12–14, 2025. International scientific conference “Areal linguistics and language contact of Uralic languages. Language-specific and typological approaches”, organized by the Livonian Institute of the University of Latvia and the Institute of Slavic Studies at the University of Potsdam.
May 17–18, 2025. Joint workshop of the LU Livonian Institute and the Institute of Estonian and General Linguistics at the University of Tartu, where researchers presented current projects being implemented at both institutes, discussed issues and problems that have arisen during regular Livonian language classes, and planned future cooperation in research and the development of teaching materials and resources necessary for learning the Livonian language.
On October 8, 2024, the LU Livonian Institute will launch a regular Livonian language course for youth, which will take place once a week.
July 25–August 4, 2024. Study program “Livonian Summer University” organized by the Livonian Institute of the University of Latvia and the Institute of Estonian and General Linguistics of the University of Tartu. More here.
June 26–28, 2024. International interdisciplinary conference “Livonica 3 + Minor Finnic Languages 2 = 5”, organized by the Livonian Institute of the University of Latvia in collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Study Group of Archaeology, Genetics and Linguistics of the University of Tartu and Eesti Juured.
May 6–7, 2024. Institute researchers Valts Ernštreits and Gunta Kļava visit Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. Lectures on the Livonian language and culture, the preservation of the Livonian language, issues of development and the future, and the goals of the Institute’s projects were given to students of the Institute of Finno-ugristics and Uralistics.
Representation in organizations
26.05.2025. UNESCO publishes report “Indigenous Peoples and the Media,” with contributions from the UL Livonian Institute. The report on indigenous peoples and the media draws attention to both the need to provide indigenous peoples with a media space where the voice and language of the community can be heard, and the responsibility of the state media to provide adequate and respectful information to the public about indigenous peoples, thereby ensuring the sustainability of their language and culture.
09.07.2024. Researchers Valts Ernštreits and Gunta Kļava from the UL Livonian Institute begin work in expert groups for the UN International Decade of Indigenous Languages. Meeting of the Global Steering Group for the UN International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032). Four expert (ad hoc) groups were approved, whose task is to conduct research and provide recommendations to the global steering group for the decade to ensure the learning, inheritance, legal status and digital equality of indigenous languages. Representatives of the UL Livonian Institute were also elected to two of these expert groups. The institute’s leading researcher, Dr. philol. Gunta Kļava, will work in the expert group focusing on the provision of education and domains for indigenous languages, while leading researcher Dr. phil. Valts Ernštreits has been elected co-chair of the expert group dedicated to digital equality and domains for indigenous languages.
Publicity
All Facebook posts can be found under #flpp or #FLPP.
11.11.2025. Facebook post about a project researcher’s presentation on the situation of the Livonian language at a language seminar in Estonia.
29.10.2025 Facebook post about the project researchers’ participation in the 5th UN International Decade of Indigenous Languages Ad Hoc Group meeting on international research on indigenous languages, which the project researchers helped to develop.
23.10.2025. Facebook post about the Saeima debates on the report on the implementation of language policy, which was developed with the participation of project researchers.
23.10.2025. Facebook post about project researcher B. Moran-Nae’s participation in the Foundation for Endangered Languages Conference XXIX at the University of the Basque Country in Spain.
07.10.2025. Facebook post about project researcher V. Ernštreits’ participation in the discussion “Contemporary Latvia: Identity and Statehood,” which, among other things, examined the Livonian experience in ensuring sustainability and future challenges in protecting Latvian identity and statehood.
30.09.2025 Facebook post about project researcher V. Ernštreits’ speech at the UNESCO International Translation Day event.
17.09.2025 Facebook post about the government-approved report to the Saeima on the achievements and plans in the field of state language policy, which includes sections prepared by project researchers on measures to ensure the vitality of the language of Latvia’s indigenous people, the Livonians.
15.09.2025 Facebook post about project researcher V. Ernštreits’ presentation at the Riga Gulf research seminar organized by the University of Tartu’s Center of Excellence in Transdisciplinary Research on Ethnogenesis and Cultural Diversity at the Kihnu Community Center and Kihnu Island Museum.
15.09.2025. Facebook post about project researchers G. Kļava and V. Ernštreits presenting the project results at the Kyoto University conference “IV International Conference on the Revitalization of Indigenous and Minoritized Languages”.
11.09.2025. Facebook post about International Translators’ Day, at which project researcher V. Ernštreits is scheduled to give a speech on the current revitalization of the Livonian language.
11.09.2025. Facebook post about the project researchers’ participation in the 14th International Congress for Finno-Ugric Studies (CIFU XIV), highlighting the research areas presented.
02.09.2025. Facebook post about project researcher V. Ernštreits’ interview on the current situation and future prospects of the Livonian people and language. The interview is available here.
20.08.2025. Facebook post about the presentations of project researchers at the 14th International Congress for Finno-Ugric Studies (CIFU XIV) at the University of Tartu.
02.07.2025. Informative material about the seminar of the Ministry of Education and Science in preparation for the Cabinet of Ministers’ report to the Saeima on the achievements and planned activities in the implementation of the state language policy. Information prepared for the seminar on the situation of the Livonian language and conclusions drawn during the project on strengthening the vitality of the Livonian language. Facebook
20–21 June 2025. The Livonian tent at the discussion festival “Lampa,” where we talked with Livonian youth about the place of the Livonian language, culture, and identity in today’s world, the significance and traces of the Livonians, the digital world, and what the future might hold for the Livonians and other critically endangered communities.
09.06.2025. Interview “The Livonian language continues” on the Latvian Radio program “Kultūras rondo” with institute researcher Valts Ernštreits and Livonian Sofija Kūla about learning the Livonian language, its continuation, future, and presence in the digital world. Information on the Facebook profile of the LU Livonian Institute.
08.06.2025. Post on the Facebook profile of the LU Livonian Institute about the international conference LCU2025 “Areal linguistics and language contact of Uralic languages. Language-specific and typological approaches”.
26.05.2025. Post on the Facebook profile of the LU Livonian Institute about participation in the UNESCO report on the role of the media in ensuring the sustainability of indigenous languages.
23.05.2025. Post on the Facebook profile of the LU Livonian Institute about the participation of a project researcher in the international scientific conference “500 years of Latvian and Estonian books and written language”.
20.05.2025. Post on the Facebook profile of the LU Livonian Institute about a workshop organized by the LU Livonian Institute and the Institute of Estonian and General Linguistics at the University of Tartu, where researchers talked about current projects and other research news.
13.05.2025. Students of Finno-Ugric studies from the University of Warsaw visit the Livonian Institute at the University of Latvia, where they are introduced to the projects carried out by the institute, as well as Livonian language, culture and heritage. News about the event on the Facebook profile of the Livonian Institute at the University of Latvia.
01–02.02.2025. The UL Livonian Institute participates in the language festival “Avots” organized by Valodu māja, where the main theme on February 2 was lesser-used languages, providing an opportunity to learn about the situation of lesser-used languages, including Livonian, in Northern Europe.
27.04.2025. Post on the UL Livonian Institute’s Facebook profile about the participation of project researchers in the AABS 16th European Conference on Baltic Studies “Converging Paths: The Baltic Between East and West” at the University of Cambridge.
25.03.2025. Post on the Facebook profile of the UL Livonian Institute about the project researcher’s guest lectures at Vilnius University from 17 to 20 March.
15.11.2024. Post on the Facebook profile of the UL Livonian Institute about the participation of project researchers in the LU HZF conference “Current Issues in Baltic Language Research”.
26.09.2024. As part of the European Researchers’ Night event series, visitors learned about the latest developments in the project through conversations and discussions. Post about the event on Facebook.
16.09.2024. Latvian Radio broadcast “Kultūras rondo” featured an interview with institute researcher Bridget Moran-Nae about her path to Livonian research and her research direction in language inheritance.
13.09.2024. Post on the Facebook profile of the UL Livonian Institute about the participation of project researchers in the 21st International Linguistics Congress in Poznań.
14.08.2024. Post on the Facebook profile of the UL Livonian Institute about the participation of a project researcher in the writing festival “Rakstivāls” in Līgatne, where the importance of writing in the formation and continuation of the modern Livonian identity was also discussed.
01.08.2024. Latvian Television program “100g kultūras” about the Livonian Summer University organized by the UL Livonian Institute and the University of Tartu.
11.07.2024. Latvian Radio program “Kultūras rondo” (Culture Rondo) about Livonian representation and work in the UN International Decade of Indigenous Languages expert groups, the acquisition and preservation of indigenous languages, digital equality and legal status.
25.06.2024. Post on the UL Livonian Institute’s Facebook profile about the conference “Livonica 3 + Minor Finic Languages 2 = 5”.
15.06.2024. Post on the Facebook profile of the UL Livonian Institute about the participation of project researchers in the regular international conference of the AABS (Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies), which is taking place at Yale University in New Haven.
06.06.2024. Post on the Facebook profile of the UL Livonian Institute about the project researcher’s participation in the IFUSCO conference for Finno-Ugric students in Budapest.
17.05.2024. Post on the Facebook profile of the Livonian Institute of the University of Latvia about the project researcher’s participation in the RTU Liepāja XXI International Scientific Conference “Language Acquisition: Problems and Perspectives”.
09.05.2024. Interview with project researcher B. Moran-Nae in the newspaper “Ventas Balss“.
23.04.2024. Blog entry by B. Moran-Nae on the research carried out in the project on the University of Falmouth blog Revoice.
