Frysk

Frysk, or Frisian, refers to the Frisian language most closely associated with the Dutch province of Friesland (Fryslân). West Frisian is the best-known and most widely spoken form, though the broader Frisian language group also includes North Frisian and Saterland Frisian in Germany. Linguistically, Frysk is a West Germanic language, part of the same branch as English and Dutch, with its own distinctive phonology, vocabulary, and grammar.

Endonym and standard variety: In its own language, Frysk means Frisian. The West Frisian language is codified in a standard form used in education, media, and administration, and is regulated by institutions such as the Fryske Akademy. While there are regional dialects within Friesland, the standard written form aims to be mutually intelligible across the Frisian-speaking areas of Fryslân.

Distribution and status: West Frisian is spoken mainly in Friesland, a province in the northern Netherlands, where it enjoys official status as a regional language alongside Dutch. It is used in schools, local government, newspapers, radio and television (for example, Omrop Fryslân), and public signage. The language is recognized under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and has a growing prestige as part of Frisian cultural identity.

Relations and preservation: Frisian languages form a minority language group with ongoing efforts to maintain and promote transmission to younger generations. In recent decades, Frisian literature, music, and media have expanded, contributing to a sense of linguistic vitality in Fryslân and neighboring communities.