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.
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
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)
Tower of Babel in Latvian | Useful phrases in Latvian
Latvian language learning materials
Information about the Latvian language
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latvian_language
Learn Latvian online
http://www.codefusion.com/latvianasp/latonline.asp
Introductions to Latvian grammar
http://ai1.mii.lu.lv/lgram-ww/lgrame.htm
http://courses.washington.edu/latvian/basic_latvian/html/grammar_introduction.htm
The Latvian Language - phrases, lessons, stories and other resources
http://ai1.mii.lu.lv/home1.htm
Online Latvian-English dictionary
http://dictionary.site.lv
Online Latvian radio and news
http://www.latviansonline.com
http://www.radio.org.lv
http://www.brivaeiropa.org
Toronto Zinas - the (only) bilingual Latvian e-zine (in Latvian and English)
http://www.torontozinas.com
Latvian, Lithuanian