Lithuanian survival kit

About this kit

Lithuanian (lietuvių kalba) is spoken by around three million people, mainly in Lithuania where it is the official language. It is one of the two surviving Baltic languages and one of the most archaic Indo-European languages: with this kit, you have the bare minimum to get by in Vilnius, Kaunas or Klaipeda.

Lithuanian (lietuvių kalba) has about three million native speakers and ranks among the most archaic Indo-European languages still spoken. Together with Latvian, it is one of the last two living Baltic languages: linguists readily compare it to Sanskrit, Latin or Ancient Greek for its conservative features (seven cases, pitch accent with length, endings close to Proto-Indo-European). It is the official language of Lithuania since independence and one of the twenty-four official languages of the European Union. The alphabet is Latin, enriched with nine diacritic signs that open a precise sound palette. Pronunciation is rather transparent once these signs are mastered: every letter is pronounced, stress falls on variable syllables and sometimes changes meaning. Culturally, Lithuanians take pride in the uniqueness of their language: mentioning its antiquity is usually well received. The initial reserve at first contact quickly gives way to great warmth. You remove your shoes when entering a home, bring flowers in odd numbers, respect the place of Catholicism. This kit gathers the bare essentials to handle an arrival in Vilnius, a taxi ride, a restaurant order, a medical emergency and a smooth departure. You will find indispensable greetings, survival phrases for orientation, key words for eating and sleeping, as well as cultural tips to avoid faux pas.