Diacritical marks
Ā, č, ē, ģ, ī, ķ, ļ, ņ, š, ū and ž are integral parts of Latvian spelling.
Baltic language
Have Latvian translated
latviešu valoda
Latvian documents use a distinct Latin-based orthography. Exact spelling is particularly important for names, registers and older documents.
Latvian is spoken as a first language by approximately 1.5 million people.
Geographical distribution of Latvian
- Main areas of use
- Other regional use
- Selected diaspora communities
Latvia
Germany
United Kingdom
A schematic selection of the main areas where the language is used. Language use does not always follow national borders, and the map does not show complete population statistics.
Language profile
Latvian at a glance
- Native name
- latviešu valoda
- Language family
- Baltic language
- Script
- Latin alphabet
- Language code
- lv
Documents and areas of use
Common uses for this language combination
It is not just about the language. ABBA-Sprachendienste also takes into account the document type, recipient, subject area, certification requirements and the language combination you need.
Have your document checked- Civil-status documents
- School and university certificates
- Employment and pension documents
- Evidence for recognition procedures
- Contracts and powers of attorney
Origin and development
How the language developed
Together with Lithuanian, Latvian belongs to the Baltic branch of the Indo-European languages. Printed Latvian texts are documented from the 16th century onwards.
The modern standard language developed particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Historical documents may show German or Russian administrative influence and older spelling conventions.
Good to know
What makes this language distinctive
Name endings
Foreign names are often adapted grammatically in Latvian. Comparison with the passport is important for use with German authorities.
Historical multilingualism
Older registers may combine Latvian, German and Russian designations.
A glimpse of the language
Three phrases to start with
The transliteration is only a rough guide. Pronunciation and regional forms may differ.
| Original | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Labdien | — | Good day |
| Paldies | — | Thank you |
| Lūdzu | — | Please |
Sources and classification
Further information
Speaker numbers are rounded guide figures and may vary depending on the definition, the year of the survey and whether second-language speakers are included.
- Latvian language
Wikipedia · language-specific overview
- Codes for the Representation of Names of Languages
Library of Congress / ISO 639-2 Registration Authority · Language codes and standardised language names
- Language and Locale Names
Unicode Common Locale Data Repository · Language, script and territory names and variants
- Glottolog 5.3
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology · Language families, classification and linguistic literature
Editorial sources as of 14 July 2026. The information will be cross-checked by subject experts before the website goes live.
Other related service languages
Latvian FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Latvian
Can I have Latvian translated into German and German into Latvian?
You can request either direction. We give a binding commitment once we have checked the document type, subject area, certification, appointment and intended use.
Which documents are commonly relevant for Latvian?
Civil-status certificates, school and university certificates, employment and pension documents, and evidence for recognition procedures are typical examples. Other types of document can also be assessed from a clear photograph or PDF.
What does ABBA-Sprachendienste check in Latvian documents?
We check the language combination, document type, script (Latin alphabet), names, stamps, subject area, intended use and whether certification may be needed.
Do I need a certified translation of my Latvian document?
That is decided by the authority, court or notary receiving the document, or by whichever other office has requested it. Tell ABBA-Sprachendienste where the document will be submitted, so that your requirements can be assessed properly.
Is a photo enough for the initial check?
Yes. A complete, sharp and clearly legible photo or PDF is usually enough for us to check your request and prepare a quote. Depending on the job, the original may also be needed later, when the work is carried out.
Have your specific Latvian ↔ German requirements assessed
Send a clear photo or PDF. ABBA-Sprachendienste will personally check the language combination, document, intended use and whether certification is needed.
