In the Rēzekne district of Latvia, local residents from the municipalities of Malta, Lūznava, Ozolaines, Puša, and Silmalas are engaged in a conversation about the multiple names attributed to the same lakes and rivers in the area. This linguistic diversity is particularly notable in Latgale, where bodies of water may be referred to in different languages, including Latvian, Latgalian, and Russian. Residents express their familiarity with these local names, often rooted in personal and communal identities.

In a survey of local attitudes, residents reflect on the significance of these names, with some expressing that changing the official name of a lake, like Sauļuks or Malta Lake, would not change the way they refer to it. For instance, they mention names like "Kruča" for a stream and assert that regardless of potential official alterations, the emotional and cultural connections to these names remain strong. The conversation underscores how deeply intertwined local geography is with language and identity, highlighting the uniqueness of Latvian cultural heritage in rural settings.

The local dialogue reveals a larger theme of preserving linguistic traditions in the face of modernization and change, as citizens feel a connection that transcends official nomenclature. While authorities may decide to standardize names, the local populace prioritizes their long-established usages, establishing a narrative that values memory and tradition over societal shifts in terminology.