Frisian, Western

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A language of Netherlands

ISO 639-3
fry
Alternate Names
Fries, Frysk
Population

467,000 (2001 census).

Location

North, Friesland.

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

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

Language Use

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

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Low. New media. Radio programs. TV. Bible: 1943–1978.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Frisian, Western
Writing
Latin script.