Bridging the Digital Divide: Latvia’s Indigenous Livonian Case
Presenter(s)
Affiliation
Topic
Indigenous Languages and Technology
Type
Papers
Abstract
While indigenous languages and cultures remain under constant threat, bridging the digital divide between well-resourced and endangered indigenous languages is crucial for the future. Many indigenous communities not only lack resources but also the necessary data to access and establish a presence in digital domains. With each new technological advancement, this gap continues to grow. Closing it is essential to ensure endangered languages remain competitive and viable, as entering digital domains is inevitable, even for the most isolated communities.
This presentation introduces experience-driven methods and approaches developed while creating digital resources (Livonian.tech) and adapting technologies for Latvia’s indigenous Livonian language. Livonian is a critically endangered language spoken by as few as 20 people today (compared to approximately 2,500 in the mid-19th century). Despite the dispersion of its speakers, the community has demonstrated remarkable resilience and is currently experiencing a revival, particularly among younger generations. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in developing digital tools and resources to support language acquisition and strengthen the connection to the community.
The presentation focuses on the methods and approaches used in selecting technology, gathering, processing, integrating, and expanding data for an under-resourced, under-documented, and under-researched indigenous language. It explores the principles of handling linguistic data across multiple resources to enhance efficiency while simultaneously supporting documentation, research, standardization, and community access to digital tools. Additionally, it highlights the importance of direct community involvement in expanding language resources and creating an immersive language environment that fosters acquisition among new speakers.
Finally, the presentation identifies key challenges and risks specific to critically endangered languages like Livonian. These approaches and methods can be scaled and adapted to help other indigenous communities overcome barriers to digital inclusion, offering practical solutions and inspiration for narrowing the digital divide and fostering linguistic resilience in the digital era.
