Latvian uses an alphabet of 33 letters based on the Latin script, adapted to the sound system of the Latvian language [1][2]. The alphabet comprises 22 unmodified Latin letters and 11 letters with diacritical marks. Long vowels are marked with macrons: ā, ē, ī, ū. Consonants are modified with háček marks (č, š, ž) and cedillas (ģ, ķ, ļ, ņ). The letters q, w, x, and y are not used in Latvian, even for transcribing foreign words or place names [1][3].

Modern Latvian orthography was developed by the Knowledge Commission of the Riga Latvian Society in 1908 and was approved by an orthography commission led by Kārlis Mīlenbahs and Jānis Endzelīns [1]. This standardized system was introduced across the Latvian Republic between 1920 and 1922. Historically, Latvian writing had been influenced by German phonetic principles, while the Latgale dialect used Polish orthographic conventions.

Latvian is a Baltic language related to Lithuanian and the extinct Old Prussian language. It is spoken by approximately 2 million people, primarily in Latvia [1][4]. The earliest written records of Latvian date from 1530 [1]. Today, Latvian is the official language of Latvia and holds official status within the European Union.