Yes Kristine - reading is indeed a great way in which to learn a great deal about a language and to refresh one’s memory. In thinking in a language though - I believe it just simpler to speak because you don’t have to translate what you were going to say - and then re-arrange the structure of the sentence. In writing the language - it is even more difficult - in that by the time one restructures their sentences - and then turns around their vowel rules from thinking the other language - it is quite easy to forget what you had wanted to say in the first place.

It is amazing however what takes place when you are immersed in the the community though. It comes back very quickly when you need it - and I do have say this - in my only trip to Latvija I found the people to be wonderful in their acceptance of the foreigner’s language. I think the other aspect is that we learned a dated form of the language in many ways - so it is not just re-learning - but updating ones vocabulary as well.

Believe it or not - I do have some Latvian books kicking around - but someone has filed them away some where, in that they figured who would be reading them. Naturally - they don’t remember where they put them - but I will find them some day.

I am probably about two weeks away from ordering some books through you anyway - just waiting for that payday where I have some mad money.

Snik, this is in regard to language—just to add to what Kristine said, with which I concur.  I am certainly no expert on the subject of linguistics, but IMO, reading out loud also helps to facilitate the ‘speaking’ aspect.  Funny how that works, but there are people who are very proficient in reading, writing, yet these same may have difficulty when it comes to the actual speaking of the language.  I have been dumbfounded in that often, when I put forth the effort, set aside time for reading, my comprehension does indeed improve, but my speaking abilities, do not, in fact they seem to worsen;and I find myself floundering, trying to think of that/those certain words, that I can’t remember for the life of me.  And so, I experimented a little and started to read out loud which definitely seems to help.  Since I find it difficult to concentrate on what I am reading, when I read out loud, I devote most of the time reading silently and then go back and read, re-read the same paragraph, page out loud. 

As you said and you brought up a good point, language does keep on changing, evolving and the language in these older books is not quite the same as in more current works.  I try to read online Latvian newspapers, such as Diena.lv, Delfi, reading the comments at the end of the articles.  And though many times, these are skewed, abominable, at least it helps to give you more of a gist of what’s going on.  Reading English versions of Latvian news also helps, like LETA, The Baltic Times, and of course blogs like those of Aleksej, Peteris, etc.(ahem…!)

Since I am not very “sabiedriska” when it comes to attending Latvian events, the only person I have a chance to speak Latvian with on a day to day basis is my mother and when she goes, well…that’ll all change.  Another thing I try to do is watch Latvian Online TV.  The Janis Domburs show, ‘Kas Notiek Latvija’ on TV.LV is a very interesting and worthwhile program where you can learn a lot about just, “what” is going on in Latvia these days.  It does move at a rapid pace and the language is a bit hard for me to follows at times, however, but there are are other programs, such as ‘Vidas fakti’ about nature, which I find easier to understand.  These programs not only help to keep you up to date, but are excellent training for the ear as to how the Latvian language is spoken today in Latvia; as you are well aware that the language that we have become accustomed to in trimda is alas, now considered ‘vecmodiga’.

As I write, I realize that language involves all these different aspects—speaking, reading, hearing and even the visual—watching.  It’s hard to focus on everything at once, because of time constraints, unless you’re fortunate enough to be in an immersion program/to spend some time in Latvia.  And you just have to try to go step by step as time allows.  On a positive note, though, I believe you never really forget a language you’ve learned, lose it completely—it all coming back again even after a long period of disuse.  With practice it eventally all comes back and more…

Irena

Irena - thanks. I will certainly try many diffrent things. To be honest - I had not thought of reading aloud - or essentially speaking to myself. There are indeed many sources available on line that can assist me. At times I run out of ideas for searches though - or forget some better ideas that I come up with while not at the computer.

I would love to see individuals post some stories etc here. I know that at another forum - some time back - Peteris C has posted an epic poem that was fabulous. I had not previouslyknown that such items had existed - in that our teachers had shown us little other than writings on regarding mamuliti, dzimtene etc - more patriotism than interesting.

In my trip five years back I did learn something knew that helped restore some of my speaking abilities. Maybe it was my imagination - but I found that many of the Latvian women seemed to speak with an almost singly lilt to voices. We were taught to sing of course - and somehow, singing always seemed simlper than speaking at times. I found that by adopting a different tempo or beat (for lack of better description) that I felt more comfortable than before. I also found that the Latvians in Latvija were not critical of how this particular foreigner spoke the language - in fact they were very flattering at times.

That’s an interesting observation, Snik, about Latvia’s Latvian women speaking with a lilt, almost like singing?  My mother said the same, that she very much enjoys listening to the way Latvian is now spoken, having a musical-like quality.  Many of the diaspora have been critical of the speech in Latvia, saying that it has become Russified.  One woman from around here actually got into a heated argument with a professor from LU, (if you can imagine) claiming that the trimda had the correct pronunciation.

Me…I like the more long, drawn out accent, the lower range; the way I remember my father who was from Vidzeme speaking, though I suppose over time his language probably was influenced by English as were the rest of the diaspora; but maybe that’s because I tend to gravitate more toward the masculine—away from high pitched voices?  Not at all claiming that to be correct.  Nevertheless, I have a tendency to be a mimic, so when in Rome as they say, I find myself developing that same accent I hear from my relatives, the other natives.

Irena

It is funny at times how language is heard. Before I went to Latvija - I met a female cousin from my mother’s side that visited us here when she came to Canada from Riga. She thought my speach was excellent - and maitained that I spoke like a kurzemnieks. Little did she know that I only cut my words shorts because of a lack of use, and poor memory. When I visited Latvija I spent a great deal of time with my father’s side of the family who live in a Kurzeme. I told them of the cousin’s statement - and they basically advised - that no - I did not speak like a Kurzemniek - I spoke like a foreigner. I also learned a great deal of “rural” opinion - among them - “Riga Girl”.

RE:  about reading out loud - READ OUT LOUD TO THE CHILDREN!  And start that the week they are born.  Years ago I said that to the mother of a newborn, and she thought I was silly:  “But the baby won’t understand it yet!” 

Well, no.  But through listening to the speaking intonation, the baby picks up on language just the same.  Before they actually start using words, they understand quite a bit that is said to them - but only if you start teaching them young!!

And reading stories to them is more entertaining than reading out loud to yourself.]

If you don’t have grand/ children of your own - go babysit.  The parents will love you for it.

I agree with you completely Ilze. The reading material also does not matter much. Once my kids were already toddlers - they would settle with “Archie” comics. Because of their interest - they started reading early on.

3 Baltic Sisters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcdjchgCbXY

About the previous You Tube link:
There are a total of four funny 3 Baltic Sisters videos:
Baltic Sisters 2 features Estonia:)
Baltic Sisters 3 features Lithuania:)
Baltic Sisters 4 features Latvia:)

Ladies and gentlemen,

I should inform you that any strange and mysterious things occur in Russia.

Last Sunday presidential elections have passed here.

According to the official information, the number of listed voters has made about 2 million person less, than on past December, 2, 2007 parliamentary elections.

How could it be ? And what happened with so many Russians for three months?