How to Use Relative Clauses and Relative Pronouns in Latvian

Understanding Relative Clauses in Latvian

Relative clauses are used to provide additional information about a noun without starting a new sentence. In Latvian, relative clauses function similarly to English but have unique features in their structure and use of relative pronouns.

What is a Relative Clause?

A relative clause is a part of a sentence that describes or gives more information about a noun mentioned earlier. For example, in English: "The book that I read was interesting." The phrase "that I read" is the relative clause describing "the book."

Relative Pronouns in Latvian

Latvian uses specific relative pronouns to introduce relative clauses. These pronouns agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they refer to.

The most common Latvian relative pronouns are:

• kas (who, which, that) – used for people and things in the nominative case
• ko (whom, which, that) – accusative case
• kura (who, which) – feminine singular nominative
• kurš (who, which) – masculine singular nominative
• kuri (who, which) – masculine plural nominative
• kuras (who, which) – feminine plural nominative

Examples of Relative Pronouns in Sentences

Here are some examples showing how relative pronouns are used in Latvian sentences:

• Es redzēju cilvēku, kurš dziedāja. (I saw the person who was singing.)
• Grāmata, ko es lasu, ir interesanta. (The book that I am reading is interesting.)
• Meitene, kura spēlē futbolu, ir mana māsa. (The girl who plays football is my sister.)

Forming Relative Clauses in Latvian

Relative clauses in Latvian usually follow the noun they describe and are introduced by the appropriate relative pronoun. The verb in the relative clause agrees with the subject in person and number.

Unlike English, Latvian does not use commas to separate restrictive relative clauses, but non-restrictive clauses are set off by commas.

Example of a Restrictive Relative Clause

Vīrietis kurš runā ir mans tēvs. (The man who is speaking is my father.) - Here, the clause specifies which man.

Example of a Non-Restrictive Relative Clause

Mans tēvs, kurš runā, ir skolotājs. (My father, who is speaking, is a teacher.) - The clause adds extra information and is separated by commas.

Tips for English Speakers Learning Latvian Relative Clauses

• Pay attention to the gender and number of the noun to choose the correct relative pronoun.
• Practice the cases (nominative, accusative, etc.) as they affect the form of the relative pronoun.
• Remember that word order in Latvian relative clauses can be more flexible than in English.
• Use commas appropriately to distinguish between restrictive and non-restrictive clauses.