Abstract: This article explores the everyday written use of Estonian by Baltic Germans in the 18th–20th centuries, drawing on a wide range of illustrative examples. It focuses on surviving chance fragments that reflect the multilingual cultural sphere of the period. Approaching the topic from a cultural-historical perspective, the article describes the Baltic Germans’ use of Estonian (resp., Latvian) as situational and functional, shaped by their living environment, social position, and the dynamics of historical circumstances. From the examples, four principal contexts of use emerge: (a) expression of local colour and nostalgia, (b) domestic interpersonal communication, (c) secret or coded language and a sign of protest, and (d) a unifying element across different national groups. Examples drawn from varied and sometimes unexpected sources point to the natural presence of Estonian in Baltic German culture. Estonian, acquired in childhood through interaction with servants, often became the first language, later supplanted by German, French, or Russian, yet leaving lasting traces in domestic speech. Estonian acquired particular significance as a secret language outside the home or in difficult circumstances, most notably after the Second World War in Germany and beyond, where, in addition to its practical value, it also took on an identity-forming or identity-affirming role, serving as a cultural bridge between different national groups. Although the extant material is fragmentary, it nevertheless reveals the linguistic interweaving and cultural interaction that calls for more systematic investigation. The aim of this article is to encourage scholars to bring similar chance findings into academic circulation, thereby contributing to a fuller understanding of the coexistence of Baltic Germans and local languages, as well as the multilayered nature of cultural memory.
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