Agenda Profile: Urve Tiidus
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
The political stance strongly focuses on the status and quality of the Estonian language, emphasizing the necessity of ensuring access to language learning. This position is value-based, stressing that proficiency in Estonian is both an advantage and a positive value. The speaker intends to assess whether the state is taking sufficient action to ensure the Estonian language is properly valued.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates detailed linguistic expertise, highlighting a specific grammatical exception (the inflection of "seaduseelnõu") and providing the corresponding linguistic-historical context. This expertise is focused on the norms and quality of the Estonian language, noting that even the linguistic errors heard in the hall are widespread.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is formal and at times pedagogical, starting with correcting linguistic errors among the audience to highlight the importance of the subject matter. The speaker uses rhetorical questions to direct attention to the accessibility and appreciation of language learning, balancing logical analysis with emotional valuation (Estonian is a "beautiful" and "nice thing").
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
There is too little data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
There is no direct confrontation; the criticism is aimed instead at systemic inaction or the lack of accessible language instruction. The speaker is requesting an evaluation of whether sufficient action is being taken to promote language proficiency.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is too little data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is strictly at the national level, addressing the status of the Estonian language and the accessibility of educational opportunities more broadly. Specific regions are not specified.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
There is too little data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue revolves around language learning and valuing language proficiency within society, stressing that knowing Estonian provides a social advantage. The speaker raises the question of whether opportunities for learning Estonian are readily accessible.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus centers on the draft bill amending the Language Act (397 SE), during the first reading of which a speech was given. The speaker acts as an inquirer, utilizing the debate on the bill as a platform to raise broader questions concerning the accessibility and quality of language instruction.
1 Speeches Analyzed