====== East Frisian Low Saxon in Germany ======

===== Language =====
==== Language designations ====
  * In the language itself: //Oostfreesk// or //Oostfräisk//
  * [[general_information:glossary_of_terms#ISO 639-3|ISO 639-3]] standard: frs

East Frisian Low Saxon is also often referred to by the term “Low German” (or "East Frisian Low German"), and many sources for this wiki use this term to refer to all varieties of Low German/ Low Saxon. When it comes to East Frisia, we can usually assume that “Low German” education means East Frisian Low Saxon education.


==== Language vitality according to: ====

^  [[https://en.wal.unesco.org/|UNESCO]]  ^  [[https://www.ethnologue.com/|Ethnologue]]  ^  [[http://www.endangeredlanguages.com/|Endangered Languages]]  ^  [[https://glottolog.org/| Glottolog]]  ^
| {{ :endangerment:grey.png |site not accessible}} | {{ :endangerment:red.png |Endangered}} | {{ :endangerment:grey.png |n.a.}} | {{ :endangerment:yellow.png |Threatened}} |
<sup> Click [[manual:colour_codes|here]] for a full overview of the language vitality colour codes. </sup>

==== Linguistic aspects: =====
  * Classification: //Indo-European → Germanic → Northwest Germanic → West Germanic → North Sea Germanic → Altsächsisch → Middle-Modern Low German → Low German → West Low German → North Low Saxon → German North Low Saxon → East Frisian Low Saxon.//
  * Script: //Latin//

==== Language standardisation ==== 

The official orthography for East Frisian was developed by the [[https://www.ostfriesischelandschaft.de/|Ostfriesische Landschaft]] ((Ostfriesische Landschaft. (2010, September). //Schreibregeln für das ostfriesische Niederdeutsch// [Writing rules for East Frisian Low German]. [[https://www.ostfriesischelandschaft.de/fileadmin/user_upload/PLATTDEUTSCHBUERO/TEXTDATEIEN/Schrievregels_neei_2014-03-20.pdf]])) (//"East Frisian Landscape"//), the cultural governing body of East Frisia. This orthography is also recognized by the State of Lower Saxony ((Bildungsportal Niedersachsen. //Anerkennung Schreibweisen für Landschaften und Landschaftsverbände// [Recognition of writing systems for Landscapes and Landscape associations]. [[https://bildungsportal-niedersachsen.de/allgemeinbildung/unterrichtsfaecher/sprachen-und-literatur/niederdeutsch/anerkennung-schreibweisen-fuer-landschaften-und-landschaftsverbaende]])).

There is also an unofficial orthography used by the independent [[https://www.oostfraeisk-instituut.org/|Oostfräisk Instituut]] that was developed by the [[https://www.jungfraeiske-maeinskup.frl/|Jungfräiske Mäinskup]], an East Frisian advocacy youth group. This orthography is supposed to be more phonemic ((Feldmann, O. N. (2025, September). //Oostfräisk Tóólleer// [East Frisian grammar]. Oostfraeisk.org. [[https://oostfraeisk.org/grammar]])).

Both the Ostfriesische Landschaft ((Ostfriesische Landschaft. //Plattdeutsch-Hochdeutsches Wörterbuch für Ostfriesland// [Low German-High German dictionary for East Frisia]. (n.d.).)) and the Oostfräisk Instituut ((Oostfraeisk.org. //Oostfräisk Woordenbauk// [East Frisian dictionary]. [[https://oostfraeisk.org/]])) have established online dictionaries for East Frisian Low Saxon, with each institution using its own orthography.

===== Demographics =====

==== Language Area ====

East Frisian Low Saxon is spoken in East Frisia, an area in the northwest of the State of Lower Saxony in Germany on the coast of the Wadden Sea and bordering the Netherlands. This area roughly corresponds to the municipalities under the Ostfriesische Landschaft.

{{https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/91/OstfriesischesPlatt.png/1024px-OstfriesischesPlatt.png?450 |East Frisian language area}}

<sup> The East Frisian Low Saxon language area in the northwest of Lower Saxony, Germany, with an isogloss delineating two variants. Image by Onno ((Onno. (2008, June 30). //Verbreitung des Ostfriesischen Platts// [Spread of East Frisian Low German] [image]. Wikimedia Commons. [[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/91/OstfriesischesPlatt.png/1024px-OstfriesischesPlatt.png]])). </sup>

==== Speaker numbers ====

Around 465,000 people live in East Frisia ((Kammler, G. (2023). //Auswertung der Umfrage zur plattdeutschen Sprach- und Verstehenskompetenz in Ostfriesland 2023// [Evaluation of the survey concerning Low German speaking and comprehension proficiency in East Frisia 2023]. Ostfriesische Landschaft. [[https://platt.ostfriesischelandschaft.de/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/dateiarchiv/2410/Auswertung%20der%20Umfrage%20zur%20plattdeutschen%20Sprach-%20und%20Verstehenskomeptenz%20in%20Ostfriesland%202023.pdf]])). It is not clear exactly how many of them speak East Frisian Low Saxon. However, in a 2023 survey sent out by the Ostfriesische Landschaft, 2,637 residents of East Frisia were asked to report their proficiency concerning Low German ((Kammler, G. (2023). //Auswertung der Umfrage zur plattdeutschen Sprach- und Verstehenskompetenz in Ostfriesland 2023// [Evaluation of the survey concerning Low German speaking and comprehension proficiency in East Frisia 2023]. Ostfriesische Landschaft. [[https://platt.ostfriesischelandschaft.de/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/dateiarchiv/2410/Auswertung%20der%20Umfrage%20zur%20plattdeutschen%20Sprach-%20und%20Verstehenskomeptenz%20in%20Ostfriesland%202023.pdf]])). Some of the results of this survey are presented in the table below:

^ Respondents ^ Speaks Low German (very) well ^ Understands Low German (very) well ^
| All respondents | 58.8% | 84.4% |
| Above 25 years of age | 63.4% | 87.9% |
| Below 25 years of age | 25.5% | 61.5% |

It must be noted that the sample size is quite small (~0.057% of the population of East Frisia) and that proficiency is self-reported. Also note that the survey asks about proficiency in Low German; it is therefore possible that some of the respondents speak a different variety of Low German.

----

====== Education of the language ======
===== History of language education =====

Beginning in the 16th century, Standard German began to be used by higher classes in Low German speaking areas ((Schoedler, E. J. (2025, May). //De Spraak achter Pott un Ploog: Gender and Identity in the Maintenance and Loss of Low German in East Frisia// [Doctoral dissertation, University of Texas at Austin]. UT Electronic Theses and Dissertations. [[https://doi.org/10.26153/tsw/61165]])) ((Adler, A. (2021). Language, or Dialect, That Is the Question. How Attitudes Affect Language Statistics Using the Example of Low German. //Languages//, //6//(1), 40. [[https://doi.org/10.3390/languages6010040]])). In East Frisia, Standard German eventually became the commonly spoken language in the latter half of the 20th century ((Adler, A. (2021). Language, or Dialect, That Is the Question. How Attitudes Affect Language Statistics Using the Example of Low German. //Languages//, //6//(1), 40. [[https://doi.org/10.3390/languages6010040]])), and this change also occurred in education ((Schoedler, E. J. (2025, May). //De Spraak achter Pott un Ploog: Gender and Identity in the Maintenance and Loss of Low German in East Frisia// [Doctoral dissertation, University of Texas at Austin]. UT Electronic Theses and Dissertations. [[https://doi.org/10.26153/tsw/61165]])). Only in recent decades has East Frisian Low Saxon again been used in education ((Niedersächsisches Kultusministerium. (2019, June). Die Region und die Sprachen Niederdeutsch und Saterfriesisch im Unterricht [The region and the Low German and Sater Frisian Languages in Education]. //Schulverwaltungsblatt - Amtlicher Teil//, //6/2019//, pp. 1-3. [[https://www.mk.niedersachsen.de/download/144467/Schulverwaltungsblatt_6_20019_-_Amtlicher_Teil.pdf.pdf]])) ((Bildungsportal Niedersachsen. (n.d.). //Zertifizierte Plattdeutsche/Saterfriesische Schulen// [Certified Low German/ Sater Frisian Schools]. [[https://bildungsportal-niedersachsen.de/allgemeinbildung/unterrichtsfaecher/sprachen-und-literatur/niederdeutsch/zertifizierte-plattdeutsche/saterfriesische-schulen]])) ((Möörkenschule. (n.d.). //Plattdeutsch an der Möörkenschule// [Low German at the Möörkenschule]. [[https://www.moeoerkenschule.de/schulleben/plattdeutsch-an-der-moeoerkenschule/]])).
===== Legislation of language education =====

==== Legislation on European level ====

East Frisian Low Saxon is not recognized as its own language under the ECRML; instead, the broader Low German language is recognized in Germany, which is covered by Article III in Lower Saxony ((Council of Europe. (2024, September 24). //States Parties to the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and their regional or minority languages//. [[https://rm.coe.int/november-2022-revised-table-languages-covered-english-/1680a8fef4]])).

The East Frisian minority group is recognized under the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities as part of the Frisian ethnic group ((Federal Ministry of the Interior. (2023). //Sixth Report of the Federal Republic of Germany in accordance with Article 25 (2) of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities//. Council of Europe. [[https://rm.coe.int/6th-sr-germany-en/1680adeb8f]])) ((Minority Secretariat. (n.d.). Autochtonous minorities. [[https://www.minderheitensekretariat.de/en/autochthonous-minorities/]])).

==== Legislation on national level ====

According to the German Constitution, the school system is not under the supervision of the national government ((Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection. (2025). Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany in the revised version published in the Federal Law Gazette Part III, classification number 100-1, as last amended by the Act of 22 March 2025. //Federal Law Gazette 2025 I, No. 94//. [[https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.html]])).
==== Legislation on local level ====

A Decree made by the Lower Saxony Culture Ministry on June 1st, 2019 allows Low German to be used as a language of instruction in primary and secondary schools, to be taught via e.g. elective courses in secondary schools, and to be promoted at schools in other ways such as extracurriculars ((Niedersächsisches Kultusministerium. (2019, June). Die Region und die Sprachen Niederdeutsch und Saterfriesisch im Unterricht [The region and the Low German and Sater Frisian Languages in Education]. //Schulverwaltungsblatt - Amtlicher Teil//, //6/2019//, pp. 1-3. [[https://www.mk.niedersachsen.de/download/144467/Schulverwaltungsblatt_6_20019_-_Amtlicher_Teil.pdf.pdf]])) ((Bildungsportal Niedersachsen. (n.d.). //Zertifizierte Plattdeutsche/Saterfriesische Schulen// [Certified Low German/ Sater Frisian Schools]. [[https://bildungsportal-niedersachsen.de/allgemeinbildung/unterrichtsfaecher/sprachen-und-literatur/niederdeutsch/zertifizierte-plattdeutsche/saterfriesische-schulen]])).

==== Bodies controlling enforcement on education on the language ====

The State of Lower Saxony awards the title "Low German School" to schools that meet certain requirements. The State lists these requirements as follows (paraphrased; translation by author of the wiki page) ((Regionale Landesämter für Schule und Bildung. (2025, January). //Voraussetzungen für eine Auszeichnung als Plattdeutsche/Saterfriesische Schule// [Requirements for a designation as Low German/ Sater Frisian School]. Bildungsportal Niedersachsen. [[https://bildungsportal-niedersachsen.de/index.php?eID=dumpFile&t=f&f=19622&token=be22ab219cebf4d822b34b8fb7b2ec976c5654c7]])):

  - The Low German region and language are part of the school's mission statement and identity.
  - Immersive teaching:
    - One subject is taught immersively in two or more years; or
    - One learning group is taught two or more subjects immersively.
    - Immersive teaching with only one learning group of one year does not suffice.
  - Acquisition courses, such as electives, are equivalent to immersive learning groups.

Of the 46 Low German schools in Lower Saxony, 18 (39%) are located in East Frisia.
===== Support structure for education of the language: =====
  
==== Institutional support ====
 
The Plattdüütskbüro (//"Low German Office"//) of the Ostfriesische Landschaft supports kindergartens and schools with integrating Low German into their programs ((Ostfriesische Landschaft. (n.d.). //Plattdüütskbüro// [Low German Office]. [[https://platt.ostfriesischelandschaft.de/]])) ((Ostfriesische Landschaft. (n.d.). //Auszeichnungen// [Awards]. [[https://platt.ostfriesischelandschaft.de/projekte/auszeichnungen/]])) ((Kammler, G. (2015). Das Netzwerk der Ostfriesischen Landschaft. In C. Ehlers & R. Goltz (Eds.), //Wat hest du seggt? Plattdüütsch in‘n Kinnergoorn// [What did you say? Low German in kindergarten] (46th ed.) (pp. 34-46). Bundesraat för Nedderdüütsch. [[https://www.niederdeutschsekretariat.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/PlattdeutschKindergarten.pdf]])).

==== Financial support ====

It is unclear how much financial support exists for East Frisian Low Saxon.

==== Language learning materials ====

The Plattdüütskbüro of the Ostfriesische Landschaft creates Language learning materials for East Frisian Low Saxon ((Ostfriesische Landschaft. (n.d.). //Plattdüütskbüro// [Low German Office]. [[https://platt.ostfriesischelandschaft.de/]])) ((Ostfriesische Landschaft. (n.d.). //Lehrbuch im ostfriesischen Platt// [Learning book in East Frisian Low German]. [[https://platt.ostfriesischelandschaft.de/projekte/lehrbuch/]])). It is also part of the State-wide working group 'Platt is cool' ((Platt is cool. (n.d.). //Platt is cool// [Low German is cool]. [[https://www.platt-is-cool.de/]])), which works on language learning materials. The Platdüütskbüro also helps schools and kindergartens develop Low German school materials ((Ostfriesische Landschaft. (n.d.). //Plattdüütskbüro// [Low German Office]. [[https://platt.ostfriesischelandschaft.de/]])).



==== Teacher support ==== 

In 2024, the regional Expertise Center for Teacher Training in East Frisia offered continued teacher training courses for exercise games in Low German at primary and secondary level ((Kompetenzzentrum für Lehrkräftefortbildung Aurich. (2024, May 28). //Fortbildungen 2024// [Continued training courses 2024]. Ostfriesische Landschaft. [[https://bildung.ostfriesischelandschaft.de/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/dateiarchiv/4930/Kurse%20Fachbereiche%201_2024.pdf]])).

===== Education presence =====
==== preschool education====

In 2015, around 80 preschools in East Frisia were part of a Low German immersion program initiated by the Ostfriesische Landschaft ((Kammler, G. (2015). Das Netzwerk der Ostfriesischen Landschaft. In C. Ehlers & R. Goltz (Eds.), //Wat hest du seggt? Plattdüütsch in‘n Kinnergoorn// [What did you say? Low German in kindergarten] (46th ed.) (pp. 34-46). Bundesraat för Nedderdüütsch. [[https://www.niederdeutschsekretariat.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/PlattdeutschKindergarten.pdf]])). 

==== primary education====

There are twelve primary Low German Schools in East Frisia ((Bildungsportal Niedersachsen. (n.d.). //Zertifizierte Plattdeutsche/Saterfriesische Schulen// [Certified Low German/ Sater Frisian Schools]. [[https://bildungsportal-niedersachsen.de/allgemeinbildung/unterrichtsfaecher/sprachen-und-literatur/niederdeutsch/zertifizierte-plattdeutsche/saterfriesische-schulen]])).

==== secondary education====

There are five secondary Low German Schools in East Frisia ((Bildungsportal Niedersachsen. (n.d.). //Zertifizierte Plattdeutsche/Saterfriesische Schulen// [Certified Low German/ Sater Frisian Schools]. [[https://bildungsportal-niedersachsen.de/allgemeinbildung/unterrichtsfaecher/sprachen-und-literatur/niederdeutsch/zertifizierte-plattdeutsche/saterfriesische-schulen]])). Of these, three ((Hermann-Tempel-Schule IGS Ihlow. (n.d.). //Fremdsprachen// [Foreign languages]. [[https://www.igs-ihlow.de/fachbereich/sprachen/]])) ((Möörkenschule. (n.d.). //Plattdeutsch an der Möörkenschule// [Low German at the Möörkenschule]. [[https://www.moeoerkenschule.de/schulleben/plattdeutsch-an-der-moeoerkenschule/]])) ((Oberschule Uplengen. (n.d.). //Plattdeutsche Sprache// [Low German language]. [[https://www.obs-uplengen.de/index.php/projekte/plattdeutsche-sprache]])) offer Low German as an elective subject.

====vocational education ====

There is a vocational Low German School in Wittmund. East Frisian Low Saxon is used for immersive teaching but the school does not teach it as a target language. ((Berufsbildende Schulen für den Landkreis Wittmund. (n.d.). //Utteken van de eerst „Plattdüütske Beroopsschool“ in Oostfreesland// [Designation of the first “Low German vocational school” in East Frisia]. [[https://www.bbs-wittmund.de/plattdueuetske-beroopsschool/]])).

==== tertiary education====

There is no tertiary education for East Frisian Low Saxon.

==== adult education ====

There is no adult education for East Frisian Low Saxon.

===== Online learning resources =====

==== Organisations ====

  * The [[https://www.ostfriesischelandschaft.de/|Ostfriesische Landschaft]] and its [[https://platt.ostfriesischelandschaft.de/|Plattdüütskbüro]]. The Ostfriesische Landschaft is the cultural governing body of the East Frisian region. It comprises the municipalities of Aurich, Emden, Leer, and Wittmund. Via its Plattdüütskbüro, it supports the use of East Frisian Low Saxon, i.a. in education.
  * [[https://oostfreeske-taal.de/|Oostfreeske Taal]] is an association that supports the conservation and promotion of East Frisian Low Saxon.
  * The [[https://www.oostfraeisk-instituut.org/|Oostfräisk Instituut]] is an independent East Frisian Low Saxon language institute.
  * The [[https://www.jungfraeiske-maeinskup.frl/|Jungfräiske Mäinskup]] is a youth advocacy group for East Frisian Low Saxon.


==== Online resources ====

  * [[https://platt.ostfriesischelandschaft.de/projekte/plattino-die-plattlern-app/|PlattinO]] (from //"Platt in Ostfriesland"//) is a language learning app for East Frisian Low Saxon. 
  * [[https://www.jungfraeiske-maeinskup.frl/en/leeren/leerpad/|The Jungfräiske Mäinskup]] offers online learning materials for East Frisian Low Saxon. 
  * [[https://www.platt-wb.de/platt-hoch/?term=snupp|The dictionary by the Ostfriesische Landschaft]], aside from translations, also offers information on grammar, proverbs/sayings and orthography.
  * [[https://oostfraeisk.org/|Oostfraeisk.org]] also offers a dictionary.