Ethnologue 14 report for language code:VLA

VLAAMS: a language of Belgium

Between the 14th and 15th editions this language code was retired from use.
Reason: The speech varieties denoted by the code were split into two or more distinct languages.
Remedy: Change each instance of VLA to one of:

Interim SIL code: VLS > Vlaams [vls]
Interim SIL code: ZEA > Zeeuws [zea]

The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).

SIL code: VLA

ISO 639-2: gem

Population

1,070,000, over 89% of the inhabitants of West Flanders in Belgium (1998 U. of Ghent). Population total all countries 1,300,000 (1998 University of Ghent) including 220,000 in Zeeuws, 1,100,000 in West Vlaams and Frans Vlaams.

Region

Large parts of the Province of West Flanders. Also spoken in France, Netherlands.

Alternate names

FLAMAND, VLAEMSCH

Dialects

WEST VLAAMS (VLAEMSCH).

Classification

Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Franconian.

Comments

Bilingualism in French, some English. All ages. Speakers attitude toward French was hostile, but has normalized. Speakers are called 'Vlamingen', language 'Vlaemsch.' Dictionary. SOV. The spelling systems in the 3 countries differ so as to make acceptance of written materials difficult among them. Christian.

Also spoken in:

France

Language name	VLAAMS
Population	10,000 in France (1984 Menheere, 1993 Evenhuis).
Alternate names	FLAMAND, FLEMISH, VLAEMSCH
Dialects	FRANS VLAAMS (VLAEMSCH).
Comments	Close to Dutch, English, Frisian. Dutch is not understood in France, but Vlaams dialects in Belgium and the Netherlands are understood. Bilingualism in French, some English. Used for informal situations. Speakers are over 50 years old. Speakers view Dutch as a completely different, friendly language. Speakers in France are called 'Vlamingen', the language called 'Vlaemsch'. Speakers sometimes refer to Dutch as 'Vlaams.' Dictionary. SOV. Different orthographies used in the 3 countries. Christian. See main entry under Belgium.

Netherlands

Language name	VLAAMS
Population	222,000, or 60% of the 370,000 inhabitants of Zeeland in the Netherlands (1998 U. of Ghent).
Alternate names	FLAMAND, FLEMISH
Dialects	ZEEUWS (ZEAWS), WEST VLAAMS, FRANS VLAAMS (VLAEMSCH).
Comments	Close to Dutch, English, Frisian. Subdialects of Zeeuws include: Goerees, Flakkees, Schouws, Duvelands, Fluplands, Bevelands, Walchers, Axels, Kezands. Speakers have difficulty understanding nearby Brabant dialect of Dutch. Bilingualism in Dutch, English, German. Used for informal situations. Varies locally from all ages to over 40. Speakers have Vlaams as first and sometimes only language. 50,000 speak it as second language. Speakers sometimes refer to Dutch as 'Vlaams'. They view Dutch as the language of trade, tourism, school. Dictionary. SOV. Literacy rate in second language: 99% Dutch. There is a magazine, drama, folk music. Christian. See main entry under Belgium.