Field of Humanities and Arts

On May 7, the second- and third-year students of the study program “Translation, Interpreting and Language Technologies” participated in a literary translation workshop at the VUAS Library. The event was led by poet, translator, and editor Linda Mence and attended by students with a particular interest in literature and literary translation. The main theme of the workshop was the voice embodied in the text. This voice can belong to an author or translator, although the translator’s voice usually plays a symbolic role. At the beginning, Linda Mence introduced the audience to the questions that should be asked before starting a translation, such as: “Identity – who is the speaker?”, “What are the lexical layers and the emotions conveyed by the words?” Students read several texts – poems and story excerpts – and expressed their opinions during discussions in order to reach a common understanding. They also translated texts from English into Latvian to explore the nuances of literary translation. The poet and translator also shared her experience of translating various works and spoke about “absolute language pitch”, which is comparable to absolute musical pitch and is just as undeniably a great talent. Moreover, this sensitivity can be developed by reading works of various genres and authors from different time periods. However, translation should begin with shorter forms – essays and short stories. Two third-year students, Ilze Jaunzeme and Natālija Dolgova, shared their feedback on the event. Ilze said: “Once again, I was reminded that translating expressive texts is not an easy task. What I really liked was that it felt more like a conversation with a like-minded person – a colleague who is genuinely interested, listens freely and curiously to all ideas, and offers suggestions. This event was incredibly valuable; I hope no one loses interest and that more of these workshops will follow.” Meanwhile, Natālija commented: “I truly enjoyed how heartfelt this event was. Linda Mence explained very clearly and engagingly the aspects that must be considered when translating literature. She didn’t just lecture – she actively involved the audience, and I believe that the exchange and weighing of different translation options taught us more than if we had simply listened.”  The event was organized by the Dean of the Faculty of Translation Studies at VUAS, the Ventspils International Writers’ and Translators’ House, and the VUAS Library.

This year, the general meeting of PEN Latvia decided to award the PEN Latvia Award to linguist, guest lecturer at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, translation industry expert, interpreter, and translator Aiga Veckalne. She received the award for compiling and publishing the Inclusive Language Guidelines last year, as well as for her long-standing work promoting public understanding of the importance of inclusive language. The Inclusive Language Guidelines, which last year received unfounded and unprofessional criticism and attacks from the State Language Centre, are a valuable resource that compiles possible terms recommended for use when speaking respectfully about socially vulnerable groups. Until now, such a resource has been largely absent from the Latvian language and cultural space. The PEN Latvia Award recognizes Aiga Veckalne’s contribution to the development of inclusive language and the promotion of a more respectful and accessible linguistic environment. Language is perceived as a living organism that changes, influences, and interacts with people. Language helps us understand and even construct experience. Therefore, efforts to develop a language that is sensitive and aligned with human experience are both welcome and necessary, PEN Latvia comments on their choice. PEN Latvia also appreciates Aiga Veckalne’s work in explaining the necessity of inclusive language to a wider audience. The linguist regularly conducts seminars and workshops, as well as gives lectures on the Latvian language, speech, electronic correspondence etiquette, simple, easy, and inclusive language. Over the last ten years, she has regularly appeared in various media as an expert, by speaking about the use of the Latvian language. She creates and hosts the podcast Pieturzīmes and promotes a form of language that makes all individuals feel more included, comfortable, and represented. The PEN Latvia Award every year is created by a well-known Latvian artist. This year, the award was designed by Krista Vindberga (Dzudzilo). Describing her work, the artist stated: “The hand protects a fragile, smooth form where vulnerability and potential merge. It levitates in the palm – as if only the power of warmth and attention holds it. Not too tightly, not too loosely, because one who understands the value of fragility can protect it. The egg invites reflection on a voice that is still forming, on care, courage, and responsibility for what is still developing. It does not demand strength, but understanding and empathy. The hand that holds it is the same hand that allows a word to be born. It is the hand of responsibility that performs the work of empathy.” The PEN Latvia Award has been presented since 2019 for significant achievements in promoting freedom of speech, countering censorship, and defending the rights of socially marginalized groups. Previous recipients include Lolita Tomsone, director of the Žanis Lipke Memorial and publicist; the Baltic Centre for Investigative Journalism Re:Baltica; writer and ornithologist Viesturs Ķerus; film director Alise Zariņa; Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Sanita Osipova; the association Gribu palīdzēt bēgļiem (I Want to Help Refugees); and human rights activist Ieva Raubiško. PEN is an international organization of writers, publicists, and editors that promotes the spread of literature and advocates for freedom of speech and other expression.

On April 9th, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences hosted Career Day 2025 , uniting high schoolers , university students , educators , and employers for a dynamic day of networking and hands-on experiences .

On Wednesday, 9th of April, as part of the “Career Day” event organised by Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, students of the Bachelor's study programme “Intercultural Communication” were invited to a guest lecture delivered by Adrija Enrika Ēdele – a graduate of VUAS Master's study programme “Strategic Intercultural Communication”, and a current student of VUAS Master's study programme “Translation of LSP Texts”, a public relations specialist at the North Kurzeme Regional Hospital (Ventspils Hospital). The guest lecture was attended by first, second and third year students of the Bachelor's study programme “Intercultural Communication”. The guest lecturer shared the story of her work experience as a public relations specialist at the Ventspils Hospital, as well as her daily duties, challenges and answered the students' questions. In her presentation, the lecturer talked about planning and organising events, stressing that “'the biggest challenge when planning an event is to make sure that everything is thought of and nothing is forgotten”'. In telling her experience, she emphasizes the importance of critical thinking in emergency situations, acting prudently to avoid making the situation worse. From the guest lecture, students say they have gained an insight into the daily life of the profession by getting to know it better. They were able to see the usefulness of the theories and knowledge taught at the university, get answers to questions about the languages they needed to learn, employer requirements when applying for a job, the differences between the duties of a specialist and a manager as well as the importance of well-written press releases. These types of lectures give students the opportunity to get to know the professions and their responsibilities in real life, which allows everyone to make sure that the chosen profession is suitable for them, and they are also necessary for everyone who is still studying, which is why the “Career Day” event organised at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences is the right event for everyone to visit. Translation is made by: “Intercultural Communication” 2nd year student Karīna Ganiņa

On February 21, UNESCO’s International Mother Language Day was celebrated. Rebeka Miksone, a journalist for the newspaper “Ventas Balss”, invited Aiga Veckalne — a journalist, translator, editor, research assistant and guest lecturer at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences who was recently honored as the first recipient of the Language Prize in Latvia — to an interview. What does the Language Prize mean to you? It is both a great joy and honor, as well as a significant responsibility. I work consciously and purposefully in the field of language because I believe it is essential for the Latvian language to evolve, ensuring that people can express themselves in their native tongue. This award serves as recognition for me that my work is, hopefully, truly valuable and beneficial. Which of these professional roles — editor, translator, or tutor — demands the most in your daily life? I am very pleased that, through both fortunate coincidences and purposeful effort, my life has unfolded in a way that everything I do is connected to language. Some weeks, I am more of a translator and editor, working on book projects. At other times, I focus on conducting training sessions for companies, taking on the role of a communication coach and tutor. Fridays are my student days — those are the days when I also lecture. At Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, I work as a research assistant and guest lecturer while also pursuing my doctorate. I teach master’s students courses on translation and terminology management, as well as social media communication. Additionally, I am a guest lecturer at Rīga Stradiņš University. Daily, I create a lot of content for my social media project Pieturzīmes , which revolves around communication and language. This allows me to switch between my various professional roles quite seamlessly. How would you evaluate Ventspils University of Applied Sciences in comparison to other higher education institutions offering language studies? It would certainly have been easier to comment on this when I was serving as Vice-Rector for Studies at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences. Now, my opinion is more subjective. In my view, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences holds a unique position in Latvia, as it is currently the only higher education institution offering such a wide range of programs in the field of translation. Both the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in the translation are highly recognised. The VUAS Master’s program “Translation and Terminology” is a part of the European Master’s in Translation (EMT) network, which is dedicated to excellence in translation studies. Being included in this network is a great honor and a recognition of the high-quality education provided at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, as entering this prestigious network is no easy feat. One of the university’s key strengths is its practical approach to education. Whether in information technology, economics, translation, or intercultural communication, all programs emphasize hands-on experience. Courses are taught by tutors with extensive professional backgrounds, many of whom are actively working in their respective industries. Additionally, students have excellent internship opportunities, allowing them to immediately apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Many graduates have gone on to establish successful businesses and become well-known professionals in their fields. Of course, it is also worth mentioning the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre, which is unique not only in Latvia but in the entire Baltic region. The research conducted across all university faculties deserves high praise, as projects involving Ventspils University of Applied Sciences researchers are highly applicable and contribute significantly to their respective fields. The university’s active engagement in international cooperation is another commendable aspect. What are the biggest challenges facing Latvian language today? Latvian has always been influenced by other languages. In the past, German and Russian were dominant; today, English plays a major role. On the one hand, this allows us to enrich our language with new words. As new realities emerge, we need ways to describe them, and often we look to other languages for terminology. However, what concerns me is the tendency to automatically adopt English words — sometimes simply adding a Latvian ending — instead of seeking or using existing Latvian equivalents. This can lead to the unnecessary replacement of well-established words in our language. For example, we don’t need to say spektrs, notifikācijas, implementācija , or kredibilitāte when we have perfectly good Latvian alternatives. It’s about being mindful of our language and carefully considering our word choices. Another concern is the influence of English on sentence structure. While borrowing words is a more visible and external layer of language change, shifts in sentence structure happen gradually and are harder to notice. Once this process begins, it is likely to continue shaping the future of Latvian. For example, in many languages, the expression of necessity differs from Latvian. Under foreign influence, we increasingly write “It is necessary to do...” instead of the more natural Latvian construction “ Tas būtu jādara .” Artificial intelligence and machine translation also present challenges, as they often produce literal translations that retain English sentence structures. Some linguists reassure me that this has always been the case — both German and Soviet-era Russian influenced Latvian syntax. Language is constantly evolving, regardless of whether we encourage or resist these changes. People sometimes ask me if this is good or bad, but that’s just how it is. Only time will show us the full picture. As an observer, I enjoy watching how language evolves. However, we must also recognize that Latvian language is our responsibility. If we want it to thrive for another 100 or 200 years, we must actively use it in all areas of life, consciously choosing Latvian words instead of defaulting to anglicisms. Writing clearly and understandably is also crucial — not only for the language’s development but for ensuring it remains vibrant and rich. Latvian is an ancient and unique language, and we have every reason to be proud of it. You talk a lot about simple language. As we know, expressing complex ideas in simple terms can be challenging. How can one develop this skill? Yes, we often write in an unnecessarily complicated and verbose manner. This happens for several reasons. One is tradition — complexity was once seen as a sign of sophistication. This mindset still lingers in legal and bureaucratic language. However, society is changing, and language cannot be viewed in isolation from these changes. A modern democratic state is meant to serve all its citizens, ensuring that everyone has the right to express themselves and access information. Yet, official communication often hinders people from exercising their rights because they simply do not understand what is written. This can lead to frustration and a sense of helplessness. A striking example was the case of Gabriels Mutors, a young cancer patient whose family received a bureaucratic and impersonal response from the National Health Service. The reply made it feel as though he was nothing more than a statistic in an Excel spreadsheet. If we truly value respect, openness, and a willingness to help, then our written communication must reflect these principles. Otherwise, they remain empty words. This is where simple language comes in — writing in a way that makes legal, administrative, and public texts clearer and more accessible. Another important concept is easy-to-read language, which is specifically designed for people with cognitive or developmental disabilities, visual impairments, or those who are still learning Latvian. A recent discussion about translating Surveyor’s Times (“ Mērnieku laiki ”) into simplified language sparked a debate about whether such efforts are necessary. In these discussions, we must remember the people who have long been excluded from access to information. Inclusive language — language that avoids offense, prejudice, and discrimination — is also crucial in building a democratic and inclusive society where people feel respected, safe, and informed. What are your thoughts on the emergence of new words in Latvian? New words are constantly being created. In families with young children, it’s common for unique words to emerge, sometimes passed down through generations. This creativity is a natural part of language evolution. Anyone can invent new words — even humorous ones. If we stop introducing new vocabulary, language growth will stagnate. Of course, only a fraction of new words make it into official databases and dictionaries. Professor Andrejs Veisbergs once noted that only about 10% of new words eventually become widely accepted. Many remain confined to literature, specific social groups, or family settings. Do you see a problem in young people reading less printed literature and consuming more social media content? I wouldn’t call it a problem — it’s simply a characteristic of the digital age. Every generation has had its own unique influences. However, what stands out today is the sheer scale of the change. Never before has Latvian been so overwhelmingly influenced by English. Many young people consume most of their content — whether reading, listening, or speaking — in English. Often, they even use English to express emotions they find difficult to articulate in Latvian. The emotional distance provided by English is interesting to observe. English creates a certain emotional distance. We’ll see how this evolves over time. At the same time, young people are well aware of this distinction and know how to separate everyday slang and jargon from literary language — a point I’ve heard from several teachers. The findings of the new Latvian Language Agency study Youth Language in Latvia: Prestige, Skill, and Use of Latvian and English (2022–2024) further support this observation. Which languages do you translate from? I translate from English, Czech, and Slovak. My experience includes both popular science books such as James Nestor’s “Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art ” and Matthew Walker’s “Why We Sleep” (2nd edition) , as well as fiction. I feel particularly connected to my translations from Slovak, such as Katarína Kucbelová’s “Čepiec” and Monika Kompaníková’s “Piata loď” . Currently, I’m working on Jonathan Haidt’s book “ The Anxious Generation ”, which explores why Generation Z experiences such high levels of anxiety and depression — largely due to digital technology. What brings you joy, even on difficult days? I believe we should find reasons to smile every day. My passion for work is what motivates me — it’s a privilege to do something I truly love. My family, friends, and meaningful conversations bring me joy. I also love traveling, reading, and constantly learning — curiosity keeps me moving forward. Source: Newspaper “Ventas Balss”, February 21 edition

On February 13, students and language teachers from all over Latvia gathered at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences to participate in the Young Translators’ School.  More than 100 students and 40 teachers took part in the Young Translators’ School, not only from Ventspils secondary schools, but also from many other secondary schools of the Kurzeme region – Liepāja, Tukums, Grobiņa, Vaiņode, Saldus, Kuldīga, and Talsi. Several participants of the Young Translators’ School travelled from farther Latvian cities – Rīga, Iecava, Jēkabpils, Smiltene, and even Daugavpils.

Translatology plays an important role not only in the accurate transfer of cross-lingual messages, but also in the preservation of the Latvian language in the digital age. Modern technologies, including machine translation, can affect the quality of the language, so scientists are looking for solutions to ensure the richness and accuracy of the Latvian language. The future PhD Aiga Bādere is a lecturer at the Faculty of Translation Studies of the Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, Head of the Bachelor's Study Program “Translation and Language Technologies” and an experienced translator. ResearchLatvia , a science communication platform created by the Ministry of Education and Science, talks to the researcher whose scientific activity is dedicated to translation studies, namely the post-editing of machine-translated texts, trying to develop a methodological model specifically for the Latvian language.

On February 20–21, 2025, six researchers from the Faculty of Translation Studies at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences participated in the international scientific conference From the First Book to Digital Texts: The Development of Language in 500 Years , organized in Riga by the Institute of the Latvian Language and Faculty of Humanities of the University of Latvia. Over two intensive and content-rich days, the conference addressed a wide range of topics related to both the history of the Latvian language and current linguistic research. Associate Professor Silga Sviķe , in collaboration with Dr. Arturs Stalažs (University of Latvia) and Lecturer Karina Šķirmante (Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Information Technologies), presented a paper entitled ‘ Biolexipedia’: Smart complex of information systems of specialized biology lexis for the research and preservation of linguistic diversity . Dr. philol. Rafael Martin Calvo gave a presentation titled An Analysis of the Terms Oriģinālforma and Oriģinālvaloda in Cabinet Regulation No. 114. Dr. philol. Egita Proveja examined Latvian cookbooks through different historical periods in her paper. Associate Professor Jānis Veckrācis presented his research. The research examines how legal language — specifically, specialized legal vocabulary — was used in Latvian translations of laws that applied to peasants in Vidzeme (a region in Latvia) between 1850 and 1899. In connection with her ongoing doctoral research, Aiga Veckalne’s presentation explores the role of plain (easy-to-understand) language in the modern digital era, especially as a strategy to support the long-term vitality and accessibility of the Latvian language. Aiga Bādere , whose doctoral dissertation is nearing completion, explored the linguistic characteristics of texts produced by machine translation systems and the language resulting from human post-editing of those texts.

On February 13, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences hosted the Young Translators’ School (JTS), an event that brought together over 100 students and 40 language teachers from various regions of Latvia for a day dedicated to learning, collaboration, and professional growth. Participants represented not only high schools in Ventspils but also several from the Kurzeme region, including Liepāja, Tukums, Grobiņa, Vaiņode, Saldus, Kuldīga, and Talsi. In addition, attendees traveled from more distant cities such as Riga, Iecava, Jēkabpils, Smiltene, and Daugavpils. Throughout the event, students had the opportunity to participate in interactive workshops, learn about the field of translation studies, and gain insights into university life. These sessions, led by current students from the Faculty of Translation Studies, offered a firsthand perspective on academic programs, the learning environment, and campus facilities. For teachers, the event served as a valuable opportunity for professional development. It featured discussions on current trends in language education and provided a platform to address the challenges educators face in their daily work, encouraging knowledge-sharing and cooperation among colleagues from different parts of the country. The Young Translators’ School is organized by Ventspils University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with the Ventspils Education Board and is supported by the Ventspils Municipality.