Reconnect with your Heritage Language: A unique Master's degree in Tartu provides a helping hand
For second and third-generation Estonians living abroad, maintaining a connection to their linguistic and cultural heritage can be challenging. Recognizing this unique need, a specialized Master's degree programme “Estonian and Finno-Ugric Languages” (EFUL) has been launched at the University of Tartu to empower these individuals to rediscover, embrace, and deepen their relationship with the Estonian language and culture. Professor of Psycholinguistics Virve Vihman, who grew up bilingual in the USA, provides more insight into how this programme can help global Estonians and shares her own personal story of how she became a specialist in Estonian.
From “Valley girl” to Professor in linguistics
Growing up in California in an Estonian-speaking household, Vihman was aware of questions about language from an early age, asking about people coming to visit: “Which language do they speak?” In junior high school, she remembers being keen to sound like the cool “valley girls” from Southern California. Later, she was intent to develop her Estonian skills. At university in the 1990s, she changed her plans to spend a semester abroad in France, and went instead to Tartu as part of the early cohorts of western students studying alongside Estonians. She says that this experience changed her life: “Being in a place where everyone around you lives and breathes Estonian was absolutely crucial for improving my language skills, as well as gaining a clearer sense of personal identity as a bicultural, bilingual Estonian speaker.” She graduated from college in the USA, but returned to Europe soon after that and earned her PhD in Linguistics in Edinburgh, Scotland. Fast forward a few decades, she now teaches Psycholinguistics in Tartu and researches bilingualism and first language acquisition. She loves teaching the students in the EFUL programme because of their enthusiasm in discovering the attraction of the Estonian language and the spirit of Tartu.
The Heritage Language that was never passed on
Not everyone growing up abroad has been so lucky to have Estonian language skills passed down to them from their parents, and this gets more difficult with every successive generation living abroad. Professor Vihman is aware of this problem. She says that linguists have described the way language skills can get successively weaker among diaspora communities, but that in today’s world, young Estonians should take advantage of the relative ease and plentiful opportunities to travel to Estonia and spend some prolonged time there. In this way, you can develop more nuanced and contemporary language skills and establish contacts with other young people. The friendships and professional connections made during a study period are unlike any other; they can provide bridges to keep people connected throughout the rest of their lives.
A Bridge Back to Your Roots
For many, the Estonian language serves as more than just a means of communication; it is a repository of history, values, and identity. The Master's programme “Estonian and Finno-Ugric Languages” directly addresses this, offering language instruction in combination with history and culture of Estonia.
Whether you choose to focus on Estonian or dive into other Finno-Ugric languages like Finnish, Hungarian, or Komi, you’ll find support and expertise every step of the way. The programme meets you at your language level and helps you grow from there. As the teaching is in English, it provides access to everyone, even those with no previous Estonian skills.
Creating Connections Across Borders
Beyond academics, this programme fosters a sense of belonging and shared purpose among its participants. Students form bonds with peers across the globe who share similar backgrounds, cultivating a vibrant network of like-minded individuals. These connections extend beyond the classroom, contributing to a global community of Estonian speakers and cultural ambassadors.
A Personal Journey back to the homeland of ancestors
Whether you still have relatives living in Estonia or not, Tartu is the best place to reconnect with your Estonian heritage and form new connections. As the intellectual heart of Estonia and a true university town, it offers a vibrant cultural scene, a welcoming community, and plenty of chances to practice Estonian and to be part of Estonian life.
After graduation, EFUL programme students will be ready for teaching, translation, or international relations careers. But for many, the biggest reward will be intangible: a sense of belonging and a connection to Estonia that they can carry forward into the future.
If you’ve ever felt the urge to reclaim your heritage or explore the languages that shaped your ancestors, then this is your chance. It’s more than just a degree — it’s a journey home. If this resonates with you, check out the programme’s website and attend the info session on 16 January 2025.
