Raimondas Imbrasas: How Much Longer Will We Hesitate to Speak Lithuanian in Lithuania?

Lithuania grapples with a critical question: what language should dominate the public sphere? While the Constitution designates Lithuanian as the state language, the actions of various government and municipal institutions suggest a divided approach. Some entities actively promote Lithuanian for integration, while others inadvertently create an environment where individuals can live for extended periods without learning the language, pointing to a significant gap in systematic language policy.

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If a person goes to one state institution and can always be served in Russian, to another - also, and can get everyday services without using Lithuanian, what practical motivation do we create for them to learn?

The distinction between providing essential assistance to newcomers and upholding the status of the state language is crucial. It is natural for recent arrivals from Ukraine, Belarus, or elsewhere to receive information and support in their native tongues during their initial transition. However, this temporary aid must not morph into a permanent linguistic policy. For individuals who establish long-term residency, work, pay taxes, and raise families in Lithuania, learning Lithuanian should be a reasonable expectation, supported by state-provided incentives.

When individuals can conduct daily affairs and interact with state institutions primarily in Russian or another foreign language, the practical motivation to learn Lithuanian diminishes. True integration begins not with slogans, but with the necessity and opportunity to communicate. Vilnius, facing the largest community of foreign residents, is setting a positive example by expanding Lithuanian language learning programs and fostering initiatives like "Mokausi lietuviškai. Padėk man tobulėti" (I am learning Lithuanian. Help me improve).

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We too often think that politeness means immediately speaking Russian or English. However, for a person who is trying to learn Lithuanian, such 'helpfulness' sometimes does a disservice - it takes away the opportunity to practice the language.

This initiative encourages Lithuanians not to immediately switch to Russian or English when a foreigner attempts to speak Lithuanian. This shift in mindset is vital. Often, our eagerness to be helpful by switching languages can hinder the very integration we aim for, depriving learners of crucial practice opportunities. If the goal is for immigrants to learn Lithuanian, they must be given the space and encouragement to speak it. The persistent assumption of Russian as a default language for service in Lithuania, even for non-Russians like Ukrainians and Belarusians, needs to be challenged.

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If we want the people who arrive to learn Lithuanian, we must let them speak Lithuanian.