Terminology as cornerstone of language vitality and practical language policy: The Latvian case
Table of contents
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Language situation in Latvia
- 3.Institutions standardising and developing terminology
- 3.1Historical development of terminology
- 3.2Status, structure, and decisions of institutions
- 3.3Publication and popularisation methods
- 3.4Collaboration between linguists and field experts
- 3.5Public engagement in development of terminology
- 3.6Suggestions for new terms in Latvian
- 3.7Popularisation of term suggestions and public attitude
- 4.Relationship with major contact languages
- 5.Term formation principles and methods
- 6.Conclusions
- References
- Address for correspondence
This chapter primarily focuses on the cooperation of Latvian language institutions and field experts in the development of terminology, as well as the involvement of the public as important activities in the strengthening of Latvian as the official language of Latvia, which in itself is one the main objectives of the Latvian language policy. In order to contextualise the importance of strong language policy and language institutions, a brief historical context of the Latvian language is provided. In addition, Latvian term formation methods and their application in specific cases are described to give the reader a more detailed insight into the challenges specific to the Latvian language that terminologists face when working with new terms and finding the best fitting solutions to terminological problems.