Translators as shapers of national identity and its disseminators

National identity is represented by distinctive traditions, memories, culture, language and other elements. National identities arise and are constructed in complex and paradoxical ways and normally include elements of contiguous national identities. Translations and translators have played an exceptionally important role in constructing Latvian identity, language, culture and nation. They have been central and most influential in the Latvian literary polysystem. Translations have most often constituted the majority of texts produced and available in Latvian. Translations have been deliberately used to enhance and spread the language. Translator visibility has been low for most of history, but some translators who have been instrumental to the development of Latvian identity are well-known for their contribution.