Romaanist

Romaanist is a term primarily used in Latvian and Estonian linguistics to refer to a variety of Finnic languages spoken in the Baltic region. While the term is often used broadly, it most commonly encompasses the Livonian language and, to a lesser extent, related historical dialects or languages that were once spoken in the area. These languages are distinct from the Baltic languages (Latvian and Lithuanian) and are part of the Uralic language family.

The most prominent of these Finnic languages is Livonian, which historically was spoken by the Livonian people along the coast of Latvia. Unfortunately, Livonian is considered an endangered language, with very few fluent native speakers remaining. Efforts are underway to preserve and revive it through educational programs and cultural initiatives.

The term "romaanist" may also, in some contexts, refer to the linguistic influences and loanwords that have entered Latvian and Lithuanian from these Finnic languages, or conversely, the influences that Baltic languages have had on the Finnic languages of the region. Understanding the romaanist languages provides valuable insight into the historical linguistic landscape and cultural interactions of the Baltic Sea area.