LEIVU INFLUENCE IN THE LATVIAN DIALECTS OF NORTHEASTERN VIDZEME

This article examines features of several northeastern Vidzeme Latvian subdialects(spoken in Ilzene, Zeltiņi, Kalniena, Lejasciems, Sinole, etc.), which mayhave developed due to influence from the Leivu language historically spoken in thisarea. This influence is found at all levels of language. Finnic borrowings are typical oflocal vocabulary. The morphology shows characteristic phonetic changes like reductionof final-syllable vowels and diphthongs. Unfortunately, nearly all of these featureshave been lost in the 21st century and the only evidence of the Leivus’ presence existsin place names. Most Finnic-origin place names are found in the names of villages andhomes; however, they are also found in the names of hills, swamps, and other objects.The most ancient examples are found among hydronyms. Even just based on the placenames still existing in the 20th century, it can be safely said that Estonians, i.e.,