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Frisian 

Frisian is a west-germanic language related to English and German.  It is also related to East-Frisian and North-Frisian in Germany, and Frisian and Dutch are easy mutually understandable.

Sociolinguistic data available for language

Out of 625,000 inhabitants of the province, 400,000 people use the Frisian language as their mother-tongue.

According to the survey among all inhabitants of 12 years and older (1994):

  • 94% can understand Frisian
  • 74% can speak Frisian
  • 65 % can read Frisian
  • 17% can write Frisian

Studies by the Fryske Akademy (Frisian Academy), ‘Taal in Fryslân’ (1984) with English summary ‘Language in Friesland’ (1988); ‘Taal yn Fryslân op ‘e nij besjoen’ (1995) with short English summary:’What is the current state of Frisian?’

Language in Friesland.
Taal yn Fryslân op 'e nij besjoen.
Publikaasjes Taal yn Fryslân.

SPSS-files of sociolinguistic surveys by the SPSS-bestannen

Study by research institute TNS NIPO (November 2004)

Euromosaïc (1996): Position of Frisian in the ranking of European RMLs: nr 15 out of 48.

Legal status of language

Frisian is the second official language of the Netherlands. Inhabitants of the province Friesland are using the language in every day life, both in formal and informal situations; the language is in oral use more intensively than in writing.

At national level, however, there is no Frisian language act to support this.

Scattered legislation on Frisian language in administration, local government, judiciary, education, media, culture (literature) does exist.

The common responsibility of the national government and regional authorities is enacted in a Covenant Frisian Language and Culture 2001-2010.

Framework Convention (ratified 2004):

Frisians are recognised the only national minority in the Netherlands.

European Charter for Minority and Regional Languages (ratified 1996):

Frisian is the only language recognised by the Dutch government for which 48 undertakings in Part III are signed (Education: 9; Judicial authorities: 6; Administrative authorities: 12; Media: 5; Cultural activities: 9; Economic and social life: 5; Transfrontier exchanges: 2).