Peteris Vanags

Peteris Vanags serves as Professor of Baltic Languages at Stockholm University within the Department of Slavic and Baltic Studies, Finnish, Dutch and German. His academic work focuses on the historical development of Baltic languages, particularly Latvian, with special emphasis on the influence of German language and religious institutions on linguistic evolution.

His research interests span historical linguistics, language standardization processes, and the cultural-historical context of Baltic language development. Vanags examines how religious discourse, particularly during the Lutheran Reformation, shaped early written Latvian and how the language transitioned from vernacular forms to a standardized national language. His work reveals the significant role German clergy played in creating and preserving the Latvian language through biblical translations and religious texts.

Professor Vanags is actively involved in two major research initiatives: diLILAC (Digital transition of Lithuanian language and culture courses), an Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership Project, and the National Graduate School in Digital Philology (DigPhil), which combines historical language studies with advanced language technology. His recent publications demonstrate consistent scholarly output examining the complex linguistic relationships between German and Baltic languages throughout history.

His academic contributions focus on tracing the evolution of Latvian language from its vernacular roots to national language status, analyzing how Christian discourse was transmitted through German linguistic frameworks, and documenting the role of religious institutions in language preservation and development. This research provides valuable insights into the cultural and historical forces that shaped Baltic linguistic identities.