• In the language itself: Limburgs, Limbörgs, Lèmburgs. In English also known as Limburgan.
• ISO 639-3 standard: lim

• Classification: Indo-European → Germanic → West-Germanic → High German → Middle German → Middle Franconian → Ripuarian → Limburgish. For more information, see limb1263 at Glottolog
• Script: Latin

There have been several different orthographies for Limburgish (varieties). Veldeke Limburg has published the first official Veldeke-spelling for Limburgish in 1952, with a second following in 1983. In 2003, Spelling 2003 voor de Limburgse dialecten (Eng: Spelling 2003 for the Limburgish dialects) was published and officially accepted by De Raod veur ’t Limburgs. This document has guidelines for the spelling of all Limburgish dialects, and also serves as a base for the online dictionary D’n Dictionair (2016)¹⁾²⁾. Nonetheless, as Limburgish knoiws many varieties, Veldeke underlines that this 2003 spelling is an advice, and writers can deviate from this if they think (the sounds of) varieties are better reflected differently³⁾.

In the Netherlands, Limburgish is spoken in the province of Limburg. Limburgish is part of a dialect-continuum in The Netherlands, Belgium (province of Limburg) and Germany (in Rhineland, Rheinland). The language vitality is strongest in The Netherlands ⁴⁾

Limburgish is not one standard language, but has many (mutually intelligble) varieties. Nevertheless, Limburgish in the Netherlands is recognised as one language, including all varieties, through the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and the Covenant on Limburgish language.

The Limburgish varieties can be distinguished in several groups ⁵⁾⁶⁾:

• East-Limburgish (e.g. Roermond, Sittard)
• Central-Limburgish (e.g. Maastricht, Weert)
• Mich-quarter (e.g. Venlo)
• Kleverlands/Northern Limburgish (e.g. Venray, Mook)
• Ripuarian (e.g. Kerkrade)

^{Note: The last two varieties are recognised to be part of Limburgish by some 7)8) but not all 9).}

However, varieties commonly are identified by the town/city ¹⁰⁾¹¹⁾, such as:

• Kerkrade: Kirchröadsj
• Maastricht: Mestreechs
• Sittard: Zitterds
• Roermond: Remunjs
• Venlo: Venloos
• Weert: Wieërtlands
• Region Valkenberg: Valkebergs, Bergs, Hölsbergs, Houtems, Subs, Sjins ¹²⁾

The maps below show: left) the province of Limburg within the Netherlands ¹³⁾; right) Limburgish dialect-continuum with Limburgish in green ¹⁴⁾.

In total (i.e. The Netherlands, Belgium , Germany), it is estimated that there are between 1.2 and 1.5 million speakers of Limburgish ¹⁵⁾.

There is no data on speaker numbers of Limburgish in the Netherlands. In 2020, there was a total of 111,720,1 inhabitants in the province of Limburg ¹⁶⁾, and according to a survey held in 2021 in Limburg (N=1011), 78% of the respondents (18 years and older) can speak (a variety of) Limburgish, of whom 67% speaks it very well¹⁷⁾

In 2021, a survey (N=1011) was held in Limburg which showed that the percentage of fluent speakers is largest with people aged 65 and over (74%), and Limburgish language use drops with every younger generation, that is 72% for people aged 50-64, 64% for people aged 35-49, and 52% for people aged 18-34¹⁸⁾. These declining numbers are also reflected at home in the survey, as 46% of people aged 65 years and older compared to 28% amongst people aged 18-34 years use only Limburgish at home.

There are two recent surveys, a national survey (N=3.559) and a survey in the province of Limburg which report on language use in different social settings, of which the Limburg survey (N=788) shows higher percentages throughout:

In the survey on language use in Limburg (2021), respondents (N=1011) were asked about Limburgish in education. Whereas a majority of 53% agreed that schools should pay attention to Limburgish, the agreeance decreases to 32% for kindergartens to use the language as medium of instuction, and to 14% for more scientic research. To promote the language, more funding should be made available by the provincial government according to 34% and by the national government according to 19% ²²⁾.

Since 1920, the national law on primary education has the provision that a regional language can be used as medium of instruction, besides Dutch ²³⁾. To which extent this has been done, is difficult to retrace. In 2012, Limburgish was taught (optionally) at up to 80 primary schools and up to 20 secondary schools. However, it seems that these numbers have been declining, as in 2019, the Committee of Experts reported that Limburgish was taught at some schools²⁴⁾, and in 2022, it is reported that some (primary) schools teach Limburgish via projects or after-school programmes ²⁵⁾.

In 1973, the Kerkradeproject (Eng: Kerkrade project) was initiated, in reaction to a study done in Kerkrade, in which schools connected negative school results to speaking Limburgish²⁶⁾. The project found in the research phase, that Limburgish speaking pupils, as opposed to Standard Dutch speaking pupils, were linked to negative results and given lower school advice for secondary education, which stemmed from teachers' negative language attitudes towards Limburgish, rather than the abilities of the Limburgish speaking pupils. This lead the project to develop proposals for change and teaching materials in order to promote language awareness and improve language attitudes towards Limburgish, and to look for ways to use Limburgish in the classroom. This resulted, relatively to the scale of the project, to more positive attitudes towards Limburgish in the classroom by teachers and educational staff, and less to no difference in school results and school advice for secondary education between standard Dutch and Limburgish speakers²⁷⁾.

In the same period as the Kerkradeproject, a study looked into the school results of standard Dutch and Limburgish speaking pupils in Gennep, which showed that there were no significant differences in test results, though, together with the results of a follow-up study in 1980, it can be concluded that teachers, due to more negative language attitudes towards Limburgish, judge the school performances of standard Dutch speaking pupils to be higher than the Limburgish speaking pupils²⁸⁾.

Fifteen years later, a study looked into the effects of the Kerkradeproject, and how much Limburgish was (still) used in the classroom²⁹⁾. The results showed that within the classroom, in the formal setting, teachers and educational staff used and tolerated Limburgish less than during the Kerkradeproject, though positive language attitudes remained, and the majority allowed the language outside of the classroom or in a informal settings (e.g. school yard)³⁰⁾.

In 1992, the Netherlands signed and, in 1996, ratified the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, which entered into force in 1998. In 1995, the Secretary of State for the Interior agreed with the addition of Lower Saxon and Yiddish to the list of languages to be protected by part II of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages ³¹⁾. Whereas the Netherlands recognised Frisian, and Lower-Saxon, Yiddish and Romanes as languages with the ratification in 1996, Limburgish was not included.

Given the recognition of Lower-Saxon in the Netherlands in particular, the question was raised whether Limburgish, with a similar situation to this language group, should be recognised too, and as a result of this, the working group Werkgroep Erkenning Limburgs als Streektaal [Eng: working group for the recognition of Limburgish as a regional language] was set up at the initiative of Veldeke Limburg and the provincial government of Limburg ³²⁾.

In March 1996, this working group published a recommendation³³⁾³⁴⁾ to add Limburgish to the list of languages to be protected under the European Charter, with three main arguments:

• the structure of Limburgish, which differs from the national language, Dutch;
• the language attitudes of the speakers;
• the communicative function of Limburgish

Though the Nederlandse Taalunie (Language Union) gave a negative advice to recognise Limburgish, the Ministry of the Interior adopted this recommendation from the working group in February 1997, and so, in March 1997 Limburg was recognised under part II ^35)36)37)

This facilitates its promotion across different layers of society such as education, with article 7 paragraphs:

• c) the need for resolute action to promote regional or minority languages in order to safeguard them;
• d) the facilitation and/or encouragement of the use of regional or minority languages, in speech and writing, in public and private life;
• f) the provision of appropriate forms and means for the teaching and study of regional or minority languages at all appropriate stages;
• g) the provision of facilities enabling non-speakers of a regional or minority language living in the area where it is used to learn it if they so desire;
• h) the promotion of study and research on regional or minority languages at universities or equivalent institutions;

The secretary-general of the Nederlandse Taalunie stated in 1999, that the recognition of Limburgish was a “unfortunate decision”³⁸⁾.

In April 2023, an open letter written by Hoes veur ’t Limburgs was sent to the provincial government of Limburg with the call to recognise Limburgish under part III, before December 2024 ³⁹⁾.

In 2019, The Dutch government recognised Limburgish as “as an essential, fully-fledged and independent regional language in the Netherlands” in the Convenant inzake de Nederlandse erkenning van de Limburgse taal [Eng: Covenant on the Dutch recognition of the Limburgish language] ⁴⁰⁾. The recognition includes that the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations and the provincial government of Limburg “will, insofar as they are able, make every effort and work together to maintain Limburgish as a regional language in the Netherlands, to promote its use and to promote the position of Limburgish, without the creation of new laws and regulations.” Both parties will make agreements on the implementation of the covenant.

The preamble (re)confirms that, by national law, Limburgish is allowed as medium of instruction at kindergarten and primary education, and Limburgish can be taught in addition to the curriculum at secondary education.

Legislation regarding education is made at national level.

• Pre-school education (0-4 years)

In pre-school education, the Wet Kinderopvang [Eng: Childcare Act] states that, when “a regional language which is in lively use”, this language can be also be used as the medium of instruction, besides Dutch ⁴¹⁾. This allows for the use of Limburgish, as underlined too in the Covenant on Limburgish language.

• Primary school education (4-12 years)

In primary education, the Wet op het primair onderwijs [Primary Education Act] states that, when “a regional language which is in lively use”, this language can be also be used as the medium of instruction, besides Dutch ⁴²⁾. This allows for the use of Limburgish, as underlined too in the Covenant on Limburgish language.

• Secondary school education (12-16/18 years)

Until August 2022, the Wet op het voortgezet onderwijs [Secondary Education Act] stated the same construction as pre-school and primary education, namely that regional language variety “which is in lively use” can be used as medium of instruction, alongside Dutch. However, this passage no longer is included in the current Wet voortgezet onderwijs 2020 [Secondary Education Act 2020]. The Act does allow to deviate from Dutch as language of instruction when the subject is about another language, or when it is necessary to do so for pupils because of their linguistic background ⁴³⁾.

In October 2015, several Limburgish language organisations pleaded for a better position and use of Limburgish in education, especially in pre-school education, in the vision document “Sjiek is mich dat!” (Eng: that's neat!) ⁴⁴⁾⁴⁵⁾. In November 2017, the provincial government of Limburg pledged to develop language policy for Limburgish, which came in the form of the framework policy document ’n Laeve lank Limburgs (Eng: a life long Limburgish), presented in June 2018. The three main points are: language promotion, language transition and language infrastructure.

For education, 'n Laeve lank Limburgs states to increase language transition in education, and raise the level of knowledge about multilingualism. Especially in pre-school education, children should be supported, not discouraged to use and develop their Limburgish language skills. The aim is to use Limburgish as medium of instruction more often, and to increase the presence of Limburgish in all educational levels⁴⁶⁾. The plans to increase the use of Limburgish as medium of instruction were tested at locations of day care centre Spelenderwijs in 2019 ⁴⁷⁾. Media, community and organisations reacted to the framework policy document, and in January 2019, the framework policy document, including reactions, comments and recommendations, was presented to be discussed by the provincial states ^48)49)50).

In the policy document Erfgoed 2022-2023 (Eng: Heritage 2022-2023), there is a section on Limburgish, and a budget of €95000 for language per year, but no concrete measures for education are mentioned ⁵¹⁾.

In April 2023, an open letter written by Hoes veur ’t Limburgs was sent to the provincial government of Limburg with the call to include the following in the subsequent covenant, which the two governments are discussing and developing in 2023⁵²⁾:

• the educational laws to allow the use of Limburgish as medium of instruction, next to Dutch, in pre-school and primary education;
• the educational laws to allow Limburgish as subject and programme item, in secondary, vocational and higher education;
• the Dutch national government to support policy for Limburgish to be used on an equal footing alongside Dutch as a medium of instruction pre-school and primary education and as a subject in secondary, vocational and higher education.

The Provincial Council of Limburg decided that more research and support was needed for recognition under part III of the European Charter in December 2023. One year later, in December 2024, this led to a Provincial Council meeting in which Limburgisch was used, for the topic on the policy plan for the Limburgian language. The policy plan “Same veur 't Limburgs 2025-2027” [Together for Limburgish 2025-2027] for the strengthening of Limburgish was adopted unanimously ⁵³⁾. For this meeting, two interpreters were needed, as Dutch is the only official language ⁵⁴⁾

Since 2001, the Raod veur ’t Limburgs and a streektaalfunctionaris (Eng: regional language officer; via Huis voor de Kunsten Limburg) have been appointed to promote the Limburgish language⁵⁵⁾.

In 2005, some teaching materials up to grade 5 in primary school were developed by the Road veur ‘t Limburgs and het Bureau Streektaal Nederlands-Limburg (Eng: Bureau for the regional language Dutch-Limburg)^{56) 57)}. These materials mainly concern attitudes towards different languages, including Limburgish, and only to a lesser extent learning the Limburgish language ⁵⁸⁾. The materials are available in different dialects of Limburgish and in Dutch.⁵⁹⁾ (

For grade 6 and higher there is a teaching brochure called 'Limburgs op de kaart'⁶⁰⁾. It explains the different characteristics of the varieties in Limburgish. Its aim is to make the pupils aware of the differences between varieties in Limburgish and contributing to a positive attitude towards Limburgish⁶¹⁾. Online, there is also some inspiration material available for teachers.

For secondary education materials exist for grade 9 and directed at all the different educational levels present in the Netherlands (Vwo, Havo and Vmbo). The materials were developed for both Limburgish as well as non-Limburgish speaking pupils ⁶²⁾.

The Province of Limburg subsidized a course developed for Higher Vocational Education. This course was named “Limburgs Dialect” or” Liergank Limburgs”. The aim was to make Limburgish also accepted during administrative meetings ⁶³⁾.

The provincial government of Limburg has budgeted €95000 per year for language in 2022 and 2023. The provincial government of Limburg also provides incidental subsidies for educational projects, such as Piepekoek⁶⁴⁾, or the Prijsvraag Limburgse taal ⁶⁵⁾ In the 7th report cycle on the ECRML, the Committee of Experts states that organisations “lack dedicated financial support” to develop learning materials ⁶⁶⁾

The provincial government of Limburg provides structural subsidies for organisations, e.g. Veldeke Limburg⁶⁷⁾, Limburgse Academie⁶⁸⁾, and Huis voor de Kunsten Limburg ⁶⁹⁾. In 2022, it was announced that the provincial government of Limburg would structually support 't Hoes veur ‘t Limburgs, with €75000 for an educational and a communications worker; more funding should come from municipalities and the national government ⁷⁰⁾⁷¹⁾.

Education is a legal responsibility for the national government, not the province of Limburg, and in relation to this, the deputy for heritage in Limburg, stated to be dissapointed by the amount of financing for the Limburgish language by the national government, which was a single incidental subsidy of €25000 ⁷²⁾. In April 2023, an open letter written by Hoes veur ’t Limburgs was sent to the provincial government of Limburg with the call for adequate financial support⁷³⁾.

Via projects and initiatives, learning materials have been made available. However, a survey (N=39) in 2021 showed that most teachers indicated a need for (more) Limburgish educational resources, and that most are not sufficiently aware of the existing materials ⁷⁴⁾. Moreover, the Committee of Experts of the ECRML stated in 2022, that there is a lack of dedicated financial support to develop learning materials ⁷⁵⁾.

• Piepekoek (Eng: peekaboo).
  Short animated videos for chidlren in pre-school education. Developed by Raod veur 't Limburgs in 2018.

• Lesbrieven (Eng: teaching materials)
  Thematic educational materials (in Dutch) to learn about Limburgish language, culture and/or history, aimed at the highest classes of primary education (11-12 years old) (2007-2016) ⁷⁶⁾
• Dien eige taol/ Dien eige taal/ Dien Eigen Taal (in order: Mestreechs,Remunjs, Venloos; Eng: your own language)
  This book (2005-2006) was made available in several Limburgish varieties, developed by the Buro Streektaol Nederlands-Limbörgs (Eng: Bureau for the regional language Dutch-Limburgish) ⁷⁷⁾.
• Verhäölkes in ós Limburgs plat
  A story book with 26 tales which was published in 2020 in the varieties of Echs, Remunjs, Zitterds, Susterens, Valkebergs, Venrods en Wieërtlands, and a version with the stories in the original Limburgish variety. The book was developed by Veldeke Limburg. De Raod veur ’t Limburgs co-financed the publication, and made one copy available for each library. Veldeke Limburg aimed to make a copy available for a hundred schools ⁷⁸⁾
• KinjerKraom (Eng: Children's booth)
  a tv-programme which ran from 1997-2013 (800 episodes), with two teachers as presenters and the character Jippe ⁷⁹⁾
• Limburgs op de kaart (Eng; Limburgish on the map)
  A folder developed by De Raod veur 't Limburgs in 2007, and distributed for free to schools in Limburg ⁸⁰⁾

• Wiejer in dien eige taal (Eng: Further in your own language)
  This book was made available in several Limburgish varieties (Remunjs, Zitterds, Gelaens) in 2006, and was developed by the Buro Streektaol Nederlands-Limbörgs, with a focus on students aged 14-15 years (Limburgse Dialecten. (n.d.). Limburgs. Limburgse Dialecten. http://www.limburgsedialecten.nl/limburgs.html.))

• Liergank Limburgs (Eng: course on Limburgish)
  A course 'Limburgs Dialect’ or ‘Liergank Limburgs’ (2003). ⁸¹⁾

In 2012, the Committee of Experts on the ECRML reported that in pre-school education, Limburgish is “is only occasionally used” and that structured approach regarding the use of Limburgish is absent ⁸²⁾. In 2022, the Committee of Experts reported that some childcare organisations (e.g. Spelenderwijs) use Limburgish as medium of instruction, but this is not standard⁸³⁾.

Limburgish was taught (optionally) at up to 80 primary schools and up to 20 secondary schools in 2012 ⁸⁴⁾, whereas in 2019, the Committee of Experts reported that Limburgish was taught at “some schools” ⁸⁵⁾. In 2022, it is reported that some (primary) schools teach Limburgish via projects or after-school programmes. The Committee of Experts therefore made the recommendation for immediate action to “prepare a strategy to ensure the teaching and study of Limburgish as a subject at all levels of education and promote its use in preschool education” ⁸⁶⁾.

Each year, Veldeke Limburg organises a poem recitation competition for children at primary schools, for group3/4 (6-8 year old), group 5/6 (8-10 year old), and group 7/8 (10-12 year old) ⁸⁷⁾⁸⁸⁾

Since 2011, Prof Dr Leonie Cornips is professor 'Language Culture in Limburg' at the University of Maastricht (for 0,3 fte) ⁸⁹⁾⁹⁰⁾.

• Veldeke Limburg
  Umbrella organisation for language promotion, whith the aim to preserve and promote the language. Veldeke covers 10 circles in Limburg:
  • Veldeke Krink Ech (NL: Echt). Also offers courses on the variety of Echt.
  • Veldeke Remunj (Nl: Roermond). Also offers courses on the variety of Roermond.
  • Veldeke Zitterd (Nl: Sittard). Also offers (speed)courses on the variety of Sittard.
  • Krink Um Mamelis Also offers (speed)courses on the variety of Mamelis.
  • Veldeke Krink Valkeberg (Nl: Valkenburg ). Also offers courses on the variety of Valkenburg.
  • Veldeke Krink Venlo Also offers courses on the variety of Venlo.
  • Veldeke Venroj (Nl: Venray). Also offers courses on the variety of Venray.
  • Veldeke krînk Wieërt (Nl: Weert). Also offers courses on the variety of Weert.
  • Veldeke Krink Heële (Nl: Heerlen)
  • Veldeke Mestreechs (Nl: Maastricht)
• De Raod veur ’t Limburgs (Eng: the Limburgish council)
  Advisory committee for the Provincial Executive of the province of Limburg.
• Huis voor de Kunsten Limburg (Eng: House for the arts Limburg) is an advisory organisation and knowledge centre, with the aim to support arts and heritage in Limburg. The organisation advices the provincial government of Limburg on all subsidy applications concerning language.
• Levende Talen Limburgs (Eng: Teachers of Living Languages)
  Teacher organisation which supports Limburgish in education (and other environments). It is a section of the larger educational organisation Levende Talen.
• Limburgse Academie (Eng: Limburgish Academy)
  A non-profit organistaion which develops digital language products and tools (e.g. online dictionaries, Swiftkey app)
• Het Hoes veur ’t Limburgs (Eng: The House for Limburgish)
  A (future) knowledge and expertise centre, an initiative e.g. Raod veur ’t Limburgs, Veldeke Limburg and Levende Talen Limburgs, initiated in 2022.

• D’n Dictionair
  Online dictionary Limburgish which can translate to and from English and Dutch. The dictionary covers the varieties from Maastricht, Roermond, Sittard, Valkenburg and Venlo, and it is based on the Spelling 2003 voor de Limburgse Dialecten. D'n Dictionair is also available as an app.
• Spelling 2003 voor de Limburgse dialecten (Eng: Spelling 2003 for the Limburgish dialects).
  Document which sets out spelling guidelines for the Limburgish varieties (in Dutch)

• Veldeke lesbrieven Thematic educational materials (in Dutch) to learn about Limburgish language, culture and/or history, aimed at the highest classes of primary education (11-12 years old).
• Piepekoek (Eng: peekaboo). Short animated videos for chidlren in pre-school education. Developed by Raod veur 't Limburgs.
• 3M-project multilingual activities Classroom activities with Limburgish activities, aimed at awareness the appreciation of the (home)languages (in Dutch)
• Jongk Gelieërd, Good Gedaon! In development: Limburgish songs for pre-school education.

• library collection More than 400 texts from and about Limburgish history and literature.
• Limburgish Swiftkey Microsoft Swiftkey keyboard application to support the use of any Limburgish variety on mobile applications
• Plaatsnamelies List of place names in Limburgish
• video about Limburgish varieties The video covers Belgium and the Netherlands
• Wikitongues video variety nearby Roermond.
• video about Limburgish language variety the video (in Dutch) expands on Limburgish as tonal language