Lingvistiskās attieksmes izpausmes ārkārtējās epidemioloģiskās situācijas apstākļos (2020–2022)

Abstract

The article deals with Latvian language attitudes and their practical expression in the years 2020–2022, reflecting on the linguistic changes and perception of language use in the context of the COVID-19 crisis and, partially, of the Russian aggression over Ukraine. The unexpected situation has showcased social and deep-rooted humanitarian challenges that can be critical not only in an epidemiological context. It concerns language attitudes, too. The sustainability and competitiveness of the Latvian language depend on its use in all socially important functions, which in turn is determined by linguistic attitude – a complex of subjective factors that characterize language perceptions, attitude towards different languages (language variants), and measures taken by state or public institutions to regulate the language situation. Therefore, in addition to monitoring the Latvian language situation in terms of language skills and language use, special attention should be paid to identifying public opinions and linguistic stereotypes and studying linguistic behaviour. Positive language attitudes are recognised as one of the criteria for the success of language policy. Several important contributions on language innovations during the COVID-19 pandemic have already been published (Dite Liepa, Evija Liparte, et al.). Language is a living organism that responds to all environmental developments, and this so-called covid-lexis is essentially only an external expression for the processes that take place at many levels of language and have always been there. Neologisms and occasional new coinages, stylistic features, wordplay and jokes, and borrowings have been found in media (press, electronic media, social communication platforms), graffiti, and promotional materials based on public discussions about the topics of the pandemic. The meanings of the already known and customary Latvian language words have expanded during the COVID-19 crisis. The existence of creativity in a language is one of the indicators that a language is viable, that its speakers perceive language as their own, as a value. We now see a confirmation that the Latvian language can adapt to any circumstances. The other part of the research deals with language attitudes towards bilingual communication in Latvia, i.e. the use of Russian in public information on the epidemiological situation. The analysis of the most popular narratives reveals controversial views concerning the compatibility and necessity of bilingual information with the language policy guidelines for an inclusive society. The conclusion is that the pandemic has given new concreteness to society’s vulnerabilities, one of which is language attitudes towards the Latvian language among the Latvians.