Diacritical marks
Ā, č, ē, ģ, ī, ķ, ļ, ņ, š, ū and ž are an integral part of spelling.
Baltic language
Have Latvian translated
latviešu valoda
Latvian documents use their own Latin orthography. The 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 distribution
- Other regional use
- Selected Diaspora
Latvia
Germany
United Kingdom
Schematic selection of important distribution areas. Language usage does not always follow national borders; the map is not complete population statistics.
Language profile
Latvian at a glance
- Proper name
- latviešu valoda
- language family
- Baltic language
- font
- Latin alphabet
- Language code
- lv
Documents and deployment
The language direction is often used
It's not just the language that matters. ABBA-Sprachendienste also classifies document type, recipient, subject area, certification requirement and desired language direction.
Have the document checked- Civil status documents
- School and university certificates
- Employment and pension documents
- Evidence of recognition
- Contracts and powers of attorney
Origin and development
How language developed
Latvian, along with Lithuanian, belongs to the Baltic branch of the Indo-European languages. Printed Latvian texts have been documented since the 16th century.
The modern standard language developed particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Historical documents may show German or Russian administrative influences and older orthographies.
Good to know
What makes this language special
Name endings
Foreign names are often grammatically adapted in Latvian. For German authorities, the comparison with the passport is important.
Historical multilingualism
Older registers can combine Latvian, German and Russian names.
A little language insight
Three first expressions
The transcription only serves as an initial guide. Pronunciation and regional forms may vary.
| Original | Transcription | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Labdia | — | Good afternoon |
| Paldies | — | Thank you |
| Ludzu | — | Please |
Sources and classification
Further information
Speaker numbers are rounded guide values and may vary depending on the definition, year of survey and inclusion of second language speakers.
- 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 standardized language names
- Language and Locale Names
Unicode Common Locale Data Repository · Language, script and area names and variants
- Glottolog 5.3
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology · Language families, classification and linguistic literature
Editorial source status: July 14, 2026. Information will be cross-checked before production goes live.
Other related service languages
Latvian FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Latvian
Can I have Latvian translated into German and German into Latvian?
Both directions can be requested. A binding commitment is made after checking the type of document, subject area, certification, date and intended use.
Which documents are often relevant when speaking Latvian?
Civil status certificates, school and university certificates, work and pension documents, and proof of recognition are among the typical occasions. Other types of documents can also be checked with an easy-to-read photo or PDF.
What does ABBA-Sprachendienste look for in Latvian?
The language direction, document type, Latin alphabet, names, stamps, subject area, purpose and possible need for certification are checked.
Do I need a certified translation for my Latvian document?
This is decided by the receiving authority, the court, the notary or the other requesting body. Tell ABBA-Sprachendienste where the document will be presented; then the need can be classified appropriately.
Is a photo enough for the first check?
Yes. A complete, sharp and easy-to-read photo or PDF is usually sufficient to check the offer. Depending on the order, the original may also be required for later execution.
Have Latvian ↔ German checked specifically
Send an easy-to-read photo or PDF. ABBA-Sprachendienste personally checks the language direction, document, purpose and certification requirements.
