Limburg invests €113,000 to preserve and promote Limburgish language in schools and research
The Province of Limburg is funding research and education to safeguard the Limburgish language, aiming for future recognition under European protection. This initiative will help pass the language to new generations and strengthen its role in local culture and classrooms.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding Amount | €113,000 |
| Province | Limburg |
| Lead Institutions | Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Maastricht University, Fontys Educatie |
| Collaborating Partners | Hoes veur 't Limburgs foundation |
| Focus Areas | Research agenda, teaching materials, teacher training |
| Goal | Part III recognition under the European Charter for Regional Languages |
| Target Audience | Schools, researchers, and the broader Limburg community |
The Province of Limburg is responsible for regional cultural preservation, including the promotion of the Limburgish language. This initiative aligns with its role in fostering local identity and ensuring linguistic heritage is passed to future generations through education and policy.
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Province supports research and education to strengthen the Limburgish language
The Province of Limburg is making €113,000 available for research and education to strengthen the Limburgish language and work towards possible Part III recognition, similar to Frisian. Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, in collaboration with Maastricht University and the Hoes veur 't Limburgs foundation, is developing a research agenda on the use and development of Limburgish, including a research report, follow-up questions, and recommendations for monitoring and policy. At the same time, Fontys Educatie, together with partners, is developing new teaching materials and training teachers to use Limburgish in the classroom.
“If we want Limburgish to receive this recognition in the future, we must now invest in both knowledge and practical application. This way, we are gradually creating the conditions to meet those requirements. That is what I am committed to as a member of the Provincial Executive,” says Deputy Jasper Kuntzelaers.
The research contributes to fulfilling obligations related to the current recognition of Limburgish and makes the acquired knowledge accessible to a wider audience. In education, the focus is on practical application so that the language is also used by new generations.
“With this research, we gain a better understanding of the factors influencing the use of Limburgish and which levers we can pull to keep the language alive,” says Mark Pluymaekers of Zuyd University of Applied Sciences. “Additionally, this project is, in our view, the starting point for systematic research into the state of Limburgish and its position within Limburg society.”
Frits Criens of Fontys Educatie states: “More and more schools are incorporating Limburgish in the classroom. Fontys Educatie brings stakeholders together to share experiences, learn from one another, and strengthen the use of Limburgish in education. For example, how do you handle different dialects in one classroom? Together with the professorship in Language-Aware and Inclusive Education, we are exploring what schools need and what works.”
Background
Part III recognition means that the Netherlands places Limburgish under the highest level of protection under the European Charter and is obligated to actively protect, use, and pass on the language.