ärikeelt

Ärikeelt, also known as the Estonian language, is the official language of Estonia, a country in Northern Europe. It is a member of the Finno-Ugric branch of the Uralic language family and is closely related to Finnish. Ärikeelt is spoken by approximately 1.1 million people, primarily in Estonia, but also by Estonian diaspora communities around the world.

The language has a rich history, with its earliest known texts dating back to the 16th century. It has evolved significantly over time, influenced by various cultural and political factors. Today, ärikeelt is written using the Latin alphabet, which was introduced in the 19th century. The language has a complex grammar system, including a rich inflectional morphology and a flexible word order.

Ärikeelt is an official language of the European Union and is recognized as a minority language in several other countries. It is taught in schools and used in various official contexts, including government, education, and media. The language has a vibrant literary tradition, with notable works by authors such as Friedebert Tuglas and Andrus Kivirähk.

Despite its official status, ärikeelt faces challenges due to the influence of Russian, which is widely spoken in Estonia and has been a significant factor in the country's history. Efforts are being made to preserve and promote the language, including initiatives to increase its use in everyday life and to support its use in digital media.