Frisian

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A language of Netherlands

ISO 639-3
fry
Alternate Names
Fries, Westlauwers Fries
Autonym
Frysk
User Population

873,000 in Netherlands (2019), decreasing. Total users in all countries: 875,100.

Location

Friesland province; Groningen province: De Marne municipality.

Language Maps
Language Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Friesland Province (1996, Ratification Act, ECRML, No. 136).

Classification
Indo-European, Germanic, West, Frisian
Dialects

Súdhoeksk, Wâldfrysk, Klaaifrysk. Linguistically between Dutch [nld] and English [eng]. Lexical similarity: 71% with Standard German [deu], 61% with English [eng], 74% with East Frisian Low Saxon [frs].

Language Use

Over 70% of those in Friesland still speak Frisian. Positive attitudes. Also use Dutch [nld].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: Low. Taught in some primary and secondary schools, alongside Dutch [nld], in Friesland. Taught as subject in secondary schools. Radio. TV. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1943–1978.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Frisian
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Also spoken in:

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