What is Bruxellois and where is it spoken?

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The term "Bruxellois" has two primary meanings in the context of Belgium:

  • As a demonym: It refers to a native or resident of the city of Brussels, Belgium.12
  • As a language: It refers to a regionally distinct dialect spoken by a small segment of the city's inhabitants. This dialect is characterized by influences from both French and Flemish.3

While Brussels is officially a bilingual city, the use of this specific dialect is limited to a small portion of the population. Historically, the linguistic landscape of Brussels has shifted significantly; although it was once a predominantly Flemish-speaking city, French became the dominant language by the mid-20th century. Today, French serves as the primary lingua franca of the region, though the city remains the dual capital of Belgium's Flemish- and French-speaking communities.34