The Latvian population is truly a ethnic one. More than 100 nationalities and ethnic groups are represented, making up 35 percent of the total population. Because of Latvia’s recent past as a Soviet republic, many of these people do not speak Latvian. In order to integrate this part of the Latvian population, the Latvian government has passed various laws in the language area.The intention of the language laws is, for example, to make sure that all members of parliament speak Latvian.
It is only natural that all Latvians speak the national language. The fact that so many do not speak Latvian narrows the possibilities of the Latvian people.…