Saxon, Low

Eastphalian (Ostfaelisch, Ostfälisch), Holsteinisch (Holsatian), Mark-Brandenburg (East Prussian, Maerkisch-Brandenburgisch, Margravian, Märkisch-Brandenburgisch), Mecklenburg-Anterior Pomerania (Mecklenburgisch-Vorpommersch, Pomeranian), Northern Low Saxon (North Low Saxon), Sleswickian, Westphalian. Listed dialects are in Germany. The first 3 dialects listed are Western Low Saxon, the other 2 are Eastern Low Saxon. Not intelligible to speakers of Standard German [deu]. A direct descendant of Old Saxon, related to English [eng]. 20 to 30 dialects with differing inherent intelligibility, depending on geographic distance. They did not experience the second consonantal shift of the 8th and 9th centuries (1976 J. Thiessen). Modern forms have been largely suppressed until recently and have received much Dutch [nld] or Frisian influence, depending on the area. Low Saxon varieties are listed separately in the Netherlands, where they have official status. Pomerano is used in Latin America. Westphalian [wep] and Plautdietsch [pdt] also have separate entries.