The Effect of Covid-19 on Livonian Language Learning Opportunities

Abstract

This article describes two projects created by the Livonian Institute at the University of Latvia to promote Livonian language learning during the Covid-19 pandemic.The value and role of digital solutions increased during this period, becoming a part of every aspect of daily life.Despite the circumstances created by the pandemic, there have also been positive developments for language learning and endangered language maintenance.The pandemic seems to have prompted a change in perspective on Livonian language preservation as well as its role and function.This shift convinced the Livonian community as well as the broader society that Livonian -despite its small number of speakers -deserves the same opportunities as every other language.In this context, two new Livonian language learning projects are discussed: (1) online Livonian language lessons originally developed as an instructional module for schools, which was the first time in history that Livonian was included in a Latvian school curriculum; and (2) the next step in language-learning basics: a series of songs written by Livonian authors intended for children and young people.These initiatives show that in a difficult situation, a flexible approach and creative solutions can place even a small language on a more equal footing when competing with larger languages.2020, as the year of the Covid-19 pandemic, was marked by various restrictions everywhere on gathering, movement, and public events, which affected all levels of society.However, these restrictions did not only have negative effects; the year of the pandemic also made activists involved in the maintenance of Livonian rethink existing approaches, search for new opportunities and solutions, and use them more actively so that everyday life could continue in times of crisis.It has also shown that remote-use and digital solutions are not just a matter of convenience, but can be a daily necessity.The circumstances of the pandemic affected the already fragile situation of the Livonian language-both the opportunity to gather and hold events, and the language maintenance and learning process.Regarding Livonian, the number of speakers decreased critically during the time of Soviet occupation and now only about twenty to thirty people worldwide, including scientists and researchers, know the language sufficiently to be able to communicate, making each limit placed on its use critical for language vitality.But looking back on the year of the pandemic there is a hope that the Livonian language has become stronger than before.Activities in the field of preservation, development, and popularisation of the Livonian language that started before the pandemic continued after restrictions were put into place by changing emphasis and approach; new opportunities and solutions were also used more widely.The article summarises the results of the study of the language learning needs and multiethnica Journal of the

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