Hello there!
I'd like to ask native Lithuanian and Latvian speakers about how they see the other language.
For non-Baltic readers: Lithuanian and Latvian are two closely related languages, the only two of the Baltic branch of Indo-European languages. They are quite similar and share a great deal of vocabulary and grammar features, but not close enough to make conversation possible.
I'm familiar with both, but I'm an outsider. It would be great if you could share stories, anecdotes, impressions, misunderstandings that are related to your neighbours' language.
For instance, I've talked to several Latvians who seemed to have the impression that there are more Slavic (i.e. Russian-sounding) words in Lithuanian than in Latvian. (Many Lithuanians and Latvians are fluent in Russian.)
In some cases, this impression is justified (the different-looking Latvian word may not be of Baltic origin, but is a German loanword):
Lith. stalas / Ru. stol / Lat. galds (table)
Lith. slyva / Ru. sliva / Lat. plūme (plum)
Lith. vyšnia / Ru. vishn'a / Lat. ķirsis (cherry)
Lith. knyga / Ru. kniga / Lat. grāmata (book)
The Latvians who pointed out the examoles above were surprised that there are just as many examples of the opposite situation: the Latvian and Russian words are similar, but the Lithuanian one is totaly different:
Lith. savaitė / Ru. nedel'a / Lat. nedēļa (week)
Lith. metai / Ru. god / Lat. gads (year)
Lith. dantis / Ru. zub / Lat. zobs (tooth)
Lith. taika / Ru. mir / Lat. miers (peace)
Lith. peilis / Ru. nozh / Lat. nazis (knife)
I'd like to ask native Lithuanian and Latvian speakers about how they see the other language.
For non-Baltic readers: Lithuanian and Latvian are two closely related languages, the only two of the Baltic branch of Indo-European languages. They are quite similar and share a great deal of vocabulary and grammar features, but not close enough to make conversation possible.
I'm familiar with both, but I'm an outsider. It would be great if you could share stories, anecdotes, impressions, misunderstandings that are related to your neighbours' language.
For instance, I've talked to several Latvians who seemed to have the impression that there are more Slavic (i.e. Russian-sounding) words in Lithuanian than in Latvian. (Many Lithuanians and Latvians are fluent in Russian.)
In some cases, this impression is justified (the different-looking Latvian word may not be of Baltic origin, but is a German loanword):
Lith. stalas / Ru. stol / Lat. galds (table)
Lith. slyva / Ru. sliva / Lat. plūme (plum)
Lith. vyšnia / Ru. vishn'a / Lat. ķirsis (cherry)
Lith. knyga / Ru. kniga / Lat. grāmata (book)
The Latvians who pointed out the examoles above were surprised that there are just as many examples of the opposite situation: the Latvian and Russian words are similar, but the Lithuanian one is totaly different:
Lith. savaitė / Ru. nedel'a / Lat. nedēļa (week)
Lith. metai / Ru. god / Lat. gads (year)
Lith. dantis / Ru. zub / Lat. zobs (tooth)
Lith. taika / Ru. mir / Lat. miers (peace)
Lith. peilis / Ru. nozh / Lat. nazis (knife)