West Frisian language
Quick Summary
West Frisian is a West Germanic language spoken in the Dutch province of Friesland and on some nearby islands. It is the most closely related language to English, sharing many features with it that distinguish them from other Germanic languages.1
Historically, Frisian was spoken along the North Sea coast from the Netherlands to Germany. However, over centuries, Dutch and Low German dialects replaced it in most areas. Today, West Frisian has about 400,000 speakers, making it the most widely spoken of the three modern Frisian dialects, which also include East Frisian and North Frisian.2
Written records in Old Frisian date back to the late 13th century. After a period of limited written use, West Frisian has experienced a revival and is now used in schools and courts in Friesland, with a dedicated Frisian Academy. Despite this, Dutch remains the primary standard language in the region.12
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