niederdeutsch

Niederdeutsch, commonly referred to as Plattdeutsch, is a West Germanic language spoken in northern Germany and in parts of the Netherlands. It belongs to the Low German branch of the West Germanic language family and is distinct from Hochdeutsch, or Standard German. Historically it developed from Old Saxon and has its own phonology, grammar, and vocabulary.

Geographically, Niederdeutsch is strongest in the coastal and inland regions of Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with related varieties spoken in border areas of the Netherlands. It exists as a continuum of regional dialects rather than a single standard language. In Germany, Niederdeutsch is recognized as a regional language and is protected as a minority language under European and national policies, with use in local media, cultural programming, and some educational settings.

Dialects of Niederdeutsch form a broad family within Northern Low Saxon. Notable varieties include Hamburger Platt, Schleswigian Platt, and Mecklenburgisch-Vorpommersch, among others. The language also has related Low German varieties spoken outside Germany, such as Plautdietsch (Mennonite Low German), which is used by diaspora communities.

Writing in Niederdeutsch lacks a single nationwide standard. Writers often use dialect-specific spellings or write with German orthography adapted to dialect sounds. Several dictionaries and grammar references exist, and there are ongoing efforts to promote literacy and education in Niederdeutsch in some regions.

Today Niederdeutsch faces continued pressure from Standard German, particularly among younger speakers, but it retains a strong regional presence and cultural identification. Media, literature, music, and festivals contribute to its preservation, and there are ongoing initiatives to support transmission to new generations.