Veluws

Veluws refers to a group of Dutch dialects spoken in the Veluwe, a central region in the Netherlands located in the province of Gelderland. The Veluwe dialects are part of the Dutch language continuum and are generally regarded as regional varieties rather than a separate language. They are typically subdivided into northern Veluws, central Veluws, and southern Veluws, each with local differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and syntax.

Linguistically, Veluws exhibits features common to central Dutch dialects, with distinctive vowel qualities and consonant realizations that set it apart from Standard Dutch. The dialects share a core Veluwian lexicon and phonology, but there is considerable variation across the region. As with many Dutch regional dialects, Veluws exists on a spectrum with neighboring Gelderland and Overijssel varieties, and speakers often navigate between Veluws in informal settings and Standard Dutch in formal communication or with outsiders.

Usage and status vary by area and generation. Veluws remains an oral language variety for most speakers, with limited standardization and few formal writing conventions. In everyday life it is commonly heard among older and more rural communities, while younger speakers are more likely to use Standard Dutch, especially in education, media, and urban contexts. Several cultural initiatives and local organizations seek to document, preserve, and promote Veluws, reflecting regional identity and linguistic heritage. Veluws is therefore viewed as a valuable element of regional culture rather than as an independent language.