Plattdeutsch

Plattdeutsch, also called Niederdeutsch or Low German, is a group of West Germanic dialects spoken mainly in northern Germany and in parts of the eastern Netherlands. It forms part of the Low German language group and is distinct from Standard German (Hochdeutsch) in phonology, vocabulary, and grammar. A defining feature is that it did not participate in the High German consonant shift that created Standard German.

Geographically, Plattdeutsch comprises several regional varieties, including Northern Low Saxon and East Frisian Low Saxon. The linguistic boundary between Plattdeutsch and neighboring languages is fluid, forming a continuum with Dutch to the west and with Standard German to the south and east. There is no single official standard transcription, and orthography varies among publications and organizations.

Written records date from the 12th century; the language served as a vernacular for coastal towns and rural communities, especially during the Hanseatic period. From the 18th to 20th centuries, the spread of education in Standard German reduced intergenerational transmission, though Plattdeutsch remained widely spoken in many areas. In the late 20th century, renewed interest led to cultural promotion and media in Plattdeutsch.

Today, Plattdeutsch is recognized as a regional or minority language in parts of Germany under European protections. It continues to be spoken by older generations and in some rural communities, with radio programs, literature, and regional press in the language, and ongoing efforts to teach it in schools and preserve dialect variety. It remains distinct from Standard German, while maintaining contact through bilingual speakers.