Japan’s Naoki Watanabe writes poems in Estonian and Latvian and learns extinct Baltic tongues

The linguistic talents of Naoki Watanabe, a 27-year-old Japanese Erasmus Mundus Triple Diploma MA graduate specializing in Central and Eastern Europe, are nothing short of remarkable. Fluent in his native Japanese and English, Naoki's fascination with the Uralic language family eventually sparked a similar passion for the Baltic languages. Brace yourself: he speaks Estonian, Latvian, Latgalian, Livonian, and Old Prussian.

“I’ve always been drawn to the Baltic states, captivated by their culture and history," Naoki shared with The Baltic Times Magazine. "My first self-planned trip abroad was to Lithuania in 2017, where I met some friends involved in Old Prussian revivalism. The experience left me so thrilled that I returned to the Baltics soon after, visiting Estonia in January 2018. That trip solidified my determination to spend more time in the region. I decided to pursue a master’s program, which primarily took place in Estonia at Tartu Ulikool. In August 2019, I made the move to Tartu to begin my studies."

What fascinates you about the region and the local languages?

When I was 12 and living in Michigan, I received a book about vampires in Transylvania during the period of Hungarian rule. The book included several phrases in Hungarian that piqued my curiosity, prompting me to start learning the language on my own. This initial exposure grew into a broader fascination with Uralic languages. Estonian, in particular, captivated me due to its role as a lingua franca in the Uralic world—a phenomenon I observed at the International Finno-Ugric Students Conference (IFUSCO) in 2019. I was struck by the number of non-Estonians who spoke Estonian fluently. When I began my MA, I decided to fully immerse myself in learning the language.

The first Baltic language I attempted to learn was Old Prussian (also known as Baltic Prussian) when I was 16. I was fascinated by the history of the Prussians but couldn’t decide whether to pursue Latvian or Lithuanian. I knew that learning Latvian would be necessary to study Latgalian, while Lithuanian was essential for understanding Samogitian. I was also curious about Kursenieki, but the materials on it were far too scarce. Eventually, I decided to start learning Latvian in early 2022, during my final semester in Tartu. This decision stemmed from my growing fascination with Latvian history and my desire to travel to Latvia. That same semester, I also attempted to learn Livonian, though I found it far more challenging than I had anticipated.

Additionally, I developed an interest in Latgalian, as it combines Latvian and Belarusian elements. Interestingly, I can speak better Belarusian than either Estonian or Latvian, which made Latgalian particularly intriguing to me.

For my thesis, I chose to examine Turanism in Hungary because it provided an excellent lens through which to explore the concept of ethnosymbolism. It focuses on the roles of symbols, myths, memories, values, and traditions in shaping and sustaining nations and national identities

How much have you mastered the Latvian and Estonian languages?

I am conversational in both Estonian and Latvian, though I have been learning Estonian for a longer time. In Estonia, I can comfortably get by using only Estonian, and I even had the opportunity to act as a guide for a group of Estonians visiting Japan. As for Latvian, I know enough to communicate with my Latvian friends, but I still have a lot of progress to make to reach a higher level of fluency.

Is Lithuanian in your plans too?

Not at the moment. I might learn it in the future, but only after I have mastered Estonian, Latvian, Latgalian, Livonian, and Old Prussian.

What were the biggest challenges when translating some Latvian and Estonian verses into Japanese?

When I translated my favorite Estonian song, Tartu Marss, into Japanese, one of the biggest challenges was conveying the cultural significance of terms like Emajõgi and Toomemägi. These aren’t just physical landmarks—they are deeply woven into Estonian identity, evoking a sense of home and nostalgia for anyone familiar with Tartu. For example, I translated Emajõgi as '母川' (mother river) in Japanese to preserve its emotional resonance and reflect its symbolic meaning.

How do you describe the mentality of Latvians and Estonians? Are they different?

That’s a complex question. Among Latvians, mentalities vary across the four traditional regions—Kurzeme, Zemgale, Latgale, and Vidzeme—as well as the capital, Riga. In Estonia, there are noticeable differences between the northern and southern regions, as well as the islands.

Overall, Estonians generally seem quieter and more reserved, keeping to themselves. I notice a similar tendency among Vidzeme Latvians, though it’s far less pronounced compared to Latgalians, who tend to be more proactive and open to outsiders. Kurzemians and Zemgalians seem to fall somewhere in between.

Another interesting observation is the shared appreciation for dark humor among Vidzeme Latvians and southern Estonians. Meanwhile, Latgalians often stand out for their warmth and enthusiasm, especially when hearing a non-local attempt to speak their language. While both Estonians and Latvians usually react positively to me speaking their languages, the reaction I get from Latgalians when I say 'Vasals, kai īt?' (Hello! How are you?) is on another level – it’s often a mix of surprise and delight.

What would be your advice to those considering studying the Japanese language?

If you want to study Japanese – or any foreign language – you need to have genuine motivation. I’ve made progress with Estonian and Latvian because of my deep interest in the cultures, histories, and people of Estonia and Latvia. In general, you shouldn’t commit to learning a language unless you have a sincere connection to or curiosity about the nation and culture associated with it. From my experience, without that passion, it’s hard to sustain the effort required to make meaningful progress.

Beyond motivation, it’s crucial to use the language as much as possible. My Estonian improved significantly during my final semesters at Tartu, largely because I was living with an Estonian family. Additionally, since I enjoy poetry, I’ve written poems in both Estonian and Latvian, which has been a great way to practice and deepen my understanding of these languages.

I envision myself living in either Estonia or Latvia and achieving true fluency in both Estonian and Latvian. Valga-Valka would be an ideal place to settle, as it would allow me to use both languages in daily life while immersing myself in the unique cross-border culture of the regions.

 

Naoki’s favorite Estonian song translated into Japanese