Yesterday in Riga, a discussion titled 'What is Respect for the State Language? What is Disrespect for the State Language?' took place, during which opinions were expressed about the need to tighten the approach to protecting the Latvian language, expanding police powers, and even linking language policy to issues of national security. However, not everyone shares this position.
Cultural expert Denis Khanov, who also followed the discussion, criticized the ideas that were expressed. On Latvian Radio, he stated that experts present their messages in a way that is too complex and, in essence, off-putting. In his opinion, the conversation about the role of the Latvian language should be conducted differently — in a way that unites rather than alienates, reports LSM.lv.
"Reading the Latvian press, I began to notice traits of 'Zhdanovism' — characteristic of Stalinist policy, with the same regulatory, punitive language, and disdain for other cultures and languages. Unfortunately, it must be said that this does not strengthen the positive attitude towards the Latvian language, because one cannot, as in the comic opera 'Abduction from the Seraglio', say: 'I command you to love me from this day on!' The Latvian language is a wonderful foundation of our common nation, but this is precisely what the political elite does not want. The eternal discourse about threats is very beneficial. It is like a duck laying eggs. Who is going to cut off the head of this duck? Of course, no one. Therefore, I believe that the Latvian language should become part of the public space not through punishment or a condemning discourse, but through maximum openness. I would say that the language should become sexy."
