Agenda Profile: Signe Kivi
First Reading of the Draft Act Amending the Language Act and the Public Transport Act (Bill 397 SE)
2024-05-14
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Political Position
Kivi supports a strong position for the state language in public spaces and the service sector, noting that the current situation is "dismal" and society must be more demanding regarding language requirements. He/She also emphasizes the importance of learning foreign languages to prevent Estonia from becoming provincial. Although he/she voted against rejecting the Isamaa bill, he/she supports a broader analysis (VTK) and hopes that future legislation will assign a greater role to supervision.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
Kivi demonstrates expertise in the history of language policy and legislation, highlighting the number of similar draft bills introduced during previous compositions of the Riigikogu, as well as the ministry's repeated position on the need for broader analysis. He accurately conveys the ministry's standpoints and statistical data, for example, the 80,000 people in the workforce who do not speak Estonian. He emphasizes the importance of the oversight role in future legislation, considering it highly crucial.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style he employs is formal and informative, given that he is presenting the commission's protocol, but it also includes personal and persuasive elements, such as a personal example of the "burden" associated with speaking Russian. He adopts a tone of concern, describing the language situation in the public sphere as "dismal," and uses a logical appeal, warning against the risk of provincialization. Kivi emphasizes the necessity of a societal agreement concerning the responsibility for language instruction.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Kivi serves as the representative of the Culture Committee during the Riigikogu plenary session, presenting the minutes and decisions of the committee meeting. He/She participated in the Culture Committee meeting on April 29 and was designated as the representative of the lead committee during the discussion of the draft legislation. His/Her pattern of activity demonstrates active involvement in the committee's work and a readiness to represent it before the plenary session.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Kivi indirectly criticizes previous governments and ministries, pointing out that language issues remain unresolved, which has led to similar draft legislation being repeatedly introduced. He/She also criticizes Estonian society as a whole, arguing that it should be more demanding when it comes to language usage. He/She stresses that providing a parallel society (for instance, in education) is a problem that must be avoided.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Kivi acts as the commission's representative, conveying the majority's position, even though his personal vote (against rejecting the draft bill) differed from the majority decision. He demonstrates readiness for procedural cooperation by accepting the role of the representative for the lead committee. He highlights cooperation with businesses that have independently begun initiating language learning programs.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national language policy and Estonia's position in Europe, emphasizing the importance of learning foreign languages to avoid becoming provincial. During the discussions, examples were drawn for comparison from other small states, such as Iceland and Ireland. There is no specific local or regional focus within Estonia.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Kivi addressed the issues surrounding language proficiency in the service and employment sectors, pointing out that 20,000 individuals are employed in fields where language requirements exist, yet Estonian is not actually used. Kivi commended entrepreneurs who take the initiative and launch internal language training programs. Kivi’s stance suggests support for increasing corporate responsibility in guaranteeing language education.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social topic is language learning and integration, emphasizing that every person arriving in the country must start taking responsibility for their own language studies. He/She criticizes the creation of a parallel society and stresses that society must be more demanding regarding language use. He/She observes that Ukrainians are quite diligent learners of the state language compared to other ethnic groups.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The central priority is the processing of the draft amendment to the Language Act (397 SE) and the associated broader intention to develop language policy (VTK). He/She supports legislative measures that would increase supervision over compliance with language requirements. Kivi is aware of the history of previous similar bills (four during the XIV composition, five during the XV composition).
2 Speeches Analyzed