West Frisian languages

The West Frisian languages are a group of closely related, though not mutually intelligible, Frisian languages of the Netherlands. Due to the marginalization of all but mainland West Frisian, they are often portrayed as dialects of a single language. (See that article for the history of the languages.)

Languages

Not all West Frisian varieties spoken in Dutch Friesland are mutually intelligible. The varieties on the islands are rather divergent, and Glottolog distinguishes four languages:

• Hindeloopen Frisian (Hylpersk, Dutch Hindeloopers and Molkwerums), an archaic dialect of the peninsular harbour town of Hindeloopen (Hylpen) and the village of Molkwerum on the west coast, is spoken by, at the most, some 300 people.
• Schiermonnikoog Frisian Skiermûntseagersk, the most endangered West Frisian language, is spoken on the island of Schiermonnikoog (Skiermûntseach) by no more than 50–100 people (out of an island population of 900).
• Westlauwers–Terschellings
  • Terschelling Frisian (Skylgersk). Westersk and Aastersk are the dialects of the western and eastern parts of the island of Terschelling (Skylge) and have about 800 and 400 speakers respectively.
  • Western Frisian, spoken by over 99% of the West Frisian-speaking population

References

1. West Frisian language
2. Frisian languages
3. Anglo-Frisian languages
4. Frisians
5. North Frisian language
6. List of Germanic languages
7. West Germanic languages
8. Saterland Frisian language
9. West Frisian Islands
10. Frisian nationalism
11. Frisian language (disambiguation)
12. Hindeloopen Frisian
13. West Frisians
14. Schiermonnikoog Frisian
15. Middle Frisian
16. Stadsfries dialects
17. East Frisian language
18. West Frisian grammar
19. Frisian National Party
20. Frisian freedom