Latvia’s rich cultural heritage is reflected in its language, which is filled with words that encapsulate the beauty and complexity of Latvian literature and writing. To fully appreciate and understand Latvian literary works, it’s essential to have a grasp of some key vocabulary. Here are some Latvian words that often appear in literature and writing, complete with their definitions and examples of usage.
Dzeja – Poetry; A literary form that uses aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language, such as phonaesthetics, sound symbolism, and meter to evoke meanings in addition to, or in place of, the prosaic ostensible meaning.
Es rakstu dzeju, kad esmu iedvesmots.
Proza – Prose; Written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure.
Viņa proza ir tik dzīva un krāsaina.
Stāsts – Story; A narrative, either true or fictitious, in prose or verse, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the hearer or reader.
Mans vectēvs vienmēr stāstīja aizraujošus stāstus.
Romāns – Novel; A long, fictional narrative which describes intimate human experiences.
Šogad es lasīju romānu, kas mainīja manu dzīvi.
Tēls – Character (in literature); A person in a novel, play, or movie.
Šajā grāmatā galvenais tēls ir sarežģīts, bet simpatisks.
Valoda – Language; The system of communication used by a particular community or country.
Latviešu valoda ir skaista, bet sarežģīta mācīties.
Izpausme – Expression; The process of making known one’s thoughts or feelings.
Rakstīšana ir viena no manām izpausmēm.
Metafora – Metaphor; A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.
Viņa izmanto metaforu, lai aprakstītu dzīves sarežģītību.
Lirika – Lyric; The expressing of personal emotions or thoughts; often found in music, poetry.
Šī dzejas grāmata ir pilna ar dziļu liriku.
Pasaka – Fairy tale; A children’s story about magical and imaginary beings and lands.
Manas bērnības iemīļotākie lasījumi bija pasakas.
Epiķis – Epic; A long poem, typically one derived from ancient oral tradition, narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures or the history of a nation.
Homēra “Iliāda” ir slavens epiķis.
Alegorija – Allegory; A symbolic narrative in which the surface details imply a secondary meaning. Allegory often takes the form of a story in which the characters represent moral qualities.
Džeina Osta “Mansfieldas parks” ir dažkārt lasīts kā alegorija.
Understanding these words can give you a deeper insight into Latvian literary texts and enhance your appreciation for the nuances of Latvian writing. As you delve into the world of Latvian literature, you’ll discover that each of these terms opens up avenues for deeper exploration of not just the language, but also the culture and emotions that it conveys. Whether you’re a student of the Latvian language or a literary enthusiast, being familiar with this vocabulary is a step towards a richer reading experience.
