Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- languages:bildts_in_the_netherlands [2025/10/02 08:29] – [Language standardisation] ydwine
+++ languages:bildts_in_the_netherlands [2025/10/03 11:26] (current) – [Language Area] ydwine
@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 ==== Language Area ====
-Bildts is highly linked to the area Het Bildt, in the North-West of the province of Fryslân, the Netherlands. The development of the mixed language is tied to the development of the area Het Bildt, which is land claimed from the sea, with the first dykes established in that area in 1505((Van Sluis, P. (2015). //Seven perspectives on Bildts: The Bildts language status in a European context//. Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning. [[https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/1479608/Mercator_report_Seven_perspectives_on_Bildts_June2015.pdf]].)). Due to language contact between Frisian speakers and speakers of the Dutch varieties from South and North Holland, Bildts could develop ((Van Sluis, P. (2015). //Seven perspectives on Bildts: The Bildts language status in a European context//. Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning. [[https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/1479608/Mercator_report_Seven_perspectives_on_Bildts_June2015.pdf]].))((Hoekstra, E, and Van Koppen, M. (2001). Het Bildts als resultaat van Fries-Hollands taalcontact [The Bildts language as results of Frisian-Hollandic language contact]. In D. Boutkan and A. Quak (eds) //Language contact. Substratum, superstratum, adstratum in Germanic languages. Amsterdamer Beiträäge zur Alteren Germanistik//. Band 54. Rodopi, Amsterdam - Atlanta, 89-106. [[https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/475794/101BildtGram.htm]].)).
+Bildts is highly linked to the area Het Bildt, in the North-West of the province of Fryslân, the Netherlands. The development of the mixed language is tied to the development of the area Het Bildt, which is land claimed from the sea, with the first dykes established in that area in 1505((Van Sluis, P. (2015). //Seven perspectives on Bildts: The Bildts language status in a European context//. Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning. [[https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/1479608/Mercator_report_Seven_perspectives_on_Bildts_June2015.pdf]].)). Due to language contact between [[languages:frisian_in_the_netherlands|Frisian]] speakers and speakers of the Dutch varieties from South and North Holland, Bildts could develop ((Van Sluis, P. (2015). //Seven perspectives on Bildts: The Bildts language status in a European context//. Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning. [[https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/1479608/Mercator_report_Seven_perspectives_on_Bildts_June2015.pdf]].))((Hoekstra, E, and Van Koppen, M. (2001). Het Bildts als resultaat van Fries-Hollands taalcontact [The Bildts language as results of Frisian-Hollandic language contact]. In D. Boutkan and A. Quak (eds) //Language contact. Substratum, superstratum, adstratum in Germanic languages. Amsterdamer Beiträäge zur Alteren Germanistik//. Band 54. Rodopi, Amsterdam - Atlanta, 89-106. [[https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/475794/101BildtGram.htm]].)).
 The Bildt area also formed a municipality for a long time, called Het Bildt. In 1984, part of the former municipality Barradeel was added to Het Bildt, which included the Frisian speaking village of Minnertsga (Fr. Minnertsgea). In 2018, a large amalgamation took place, with a merger of the former municipalities Franekeradeel, Menameradiel, and part of Littenseradiel into the new municipality Waadhoeke. In this new administrative area, speakers of Bildts are a relatively small minority. In the municipality Waadhoeke, most residents speak Frisian and Dutch, and in addition to Bildts, there is also a local variety of Town Frisian called Franekers((Van Sluis, P. (2015). //Seven perspectives on Bildts: The Bildts language status in a European context//. Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning. [[https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/1479608/Mercator_report_Seven_perspectives_on_Bildts_June2015.pdf]].))((Omrop Fryslân. (2017, January 25). Biltkers komme mei petysje oar erkenning Biltske taal [Bildts people come with petition for recognition Bildts language]. // Omrop Fryslân//. [[https://www.omropfryslan.nl/nijs/694363-bilkerts-komme-mei-petysje-foar-erkenning-biltske-taal]].)).
@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 ===== History of language education: =====
-The call for Bildts language education was set in motion due to developments for Frisian in education, in the seventies((Van Sluis, P. (2015). //Seven perspectives on Bildts: The Bildts language status in a European context//. Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning. [[https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/1479608/Mercator_report_Seven_perspectives_on_Bildts_June2015.pdf]].)). In 1973, a committee was established to form an advice for the introduction of Frisian as an obligatory subject for schools in Fryslân((Fryske Akademy. (1999). European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages: Initial Periodical Report presented to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in accordance to Article 15 of the Charter: The Netherlands. Council of Europe. [[https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=09000016806c8e22]].)). This not only led to the obligation for schools in the province of Fryslân to teach Frisian as a regular subject starting in 1980, but also to an amendment for the national Primary Education Act in 1974. This amendment stated that 'in regions where there is a regional language in living use next to Dutch, some knowledge of this regional language may be included during lessons on reading and Dutch' ((Staatsblad van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden, nr. 271. (1974). [[https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stb-1974-271.pdf]]. Original Dutch text: // Daar, waar naast de Nederlandse taal een streektaal in levend gebruik is, kan onder lezen en Nederlandse taal enige kennis van die streektaal begrepen zijn.//.)). Propelled by this, action was taken for Bildts to be taught next to Frisian. To provide for Bildts educational materials, a special committee,//De Commissie Bildts//, was established in 1979((Van Sluis, P. (2015). //Seven perspectives on Bildts: The Bildts language status in a European context//. Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning. [[https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/1479608/Mercator_report_Seven_perspectives_on_Bildts_June2015.pdf]].)).
+The call for Bildts language education was spurred due to developments for Frisian in education, in the seventies((Van Sluis, P. (2015). //Seven perspectives on Bildts: The Bildts language status in a European context//. Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning. [[https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/1479608/Mercator_report_Seven_perspectives_on_Bildts_June2015.pdf]].)). In 1973, a committee was established to form an advice for the introduction of Frisian as an obligatory subject for schools in Fryslân((Fryske Akademy. (1999). European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages: Initial Periodical Report presented to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in accordance to Article 15 of the Charter: The Netherlands. Council of Europe. [[https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=09000016806c8e22]].)). This not only led to the obligation for schools in the province of Fryslân to teach Frisian as a regular subject starting in 1980, but also to an amendment for the national Primary Education Act in 1974. This amendment stated that 'in regions where there is a regional language in living use next to Dutch, some knowledge of this regional language may be included during lessons on reading and Dutch' ((Staatsblad van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden, nr. 271. (1974). [[https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stb-1974-271.pdf]]. Original Dutch text: // Daar, waar naast de Nederlandse taal een streektaal in levend gebruik is, kan onder lezen en Nederlandse taal enige kennis van die streektaal begrepen zijn.//.)). Propelled by this, action was taken for Bildts to be taught next to Frisian. To provide for Bildts educational materials, a special committee,//De Commissie Bildts//, was established in 1979((Van Sluis, P. (2015). //Seven perspectives on Bildts: The Bildts language status in a European context//. Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning. [[https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/1479608/Mercator_report_Seven_perspectives_on_Bildts_June2015.pdf]].)).
-In 1980, //Stiching Ons Bildt// was founded to support the language and culture. Organising Bildts language courses was one of their activities((Van Sluis, P. (2015). //Seven perspectives on Bildts: The Bildts language status in a European context//. Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning. [[https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/1479608/Mercator_report_Seven_perspectives_on_Bildts_June2015.pdf]].)). In 1981, a new national act on education allowed for 'a regional language in living use' to be used as a language of instruction, next to Dutch ((Staatsblad van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden, nr. 468. (1981).  [[https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stb-1981-468.pdf]]. Original Dutch text: // Daar waar naast de Nederlandse taal, de Friese taal of een streektaal in levend gebruik is, kan de Friese taal of de streektaal mede als voertaal bij het onderwijs worden gebruikt.//.)). Since then, it is legally allowed to teach as well as use Bildts in class, next to Dutch.
+In 1980, //Stiching Ons Bildt// was founded to support the language and culture. Organising Bildts language courses was one of their activities((Van Sluis, P. (2015). //Seven perspectives on Bildts: The Bildts language status in a European context//. Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning. [[https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/1479608/Mercator_report_Seven_perspectives_on_Bildts_June2015.pdf]].)). In 1981, a new national act on education allowed for 'a regional language in living use' to be used as a language of instruction, next to Dutch ((Staatsblad van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden, nr. 468. (1981).  [[https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stb-1981-468.pdf]]. Original Dutch text: // Daar waar naast de Nederlandse taal, de Friese taal of een streektaal in levend gebruik is, kan de Friese taal of de streektaal mede als voertaal bij het onderwijs worden gebruikt.//.)). Since then, it is legally allowed to teach as well as use Bildts in class, in addition to Dutch as a language of instruction.
 Municipal amalgamations in 1984 and 2018 have led to an impulse for the Bildts language and culture movement((Van Sluis, P. (2015). //Seven perspectives on Bildts: The Bildts language status in a European context//. Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning. [[https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/1479608/Mercator_report_Seven_perspectives_on_Bildts_June2015.pdf]].)). In 1984, the Frisian speaking village Minnertsga/Minnertsgea was added to municipality Het Bildt, and in 2018, the municipality Het Bildt was merged into the larger and new municipality Waadhoeke (see Legislation of language education).
@@ Line 83: / Line 83: @@
 In 2018, the municipality Het Bildt amalgamated into the larger municipality of Waadhoeke. In anticipation of this administrative change, there was an increased amount of activity and efforts to have Bildts recognised as a (minority) language. \\
-For this, researchers at the Fryske Akademy were asked to research Bildts, which led to several studies ((Fryske Akademy. (2016). //Is het Bildts een zelfstandige taal?// [Is Bildts an independant language?]. Fryske Akademy. https://www.fryske-akademy.nl/nl/nieuws-en-agenda/nieuwsbericht/news/detail/News/is-het-bildts-een-zelfstandige-taal/.))((Van Sluis, P. (2015). //Seven perspectives on Bildts: The Bildts language status in a European context//. Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning. [[https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/1479608/Mercator_report_Seven_perspectives_on_Bildts_June2015.pdf]].))((Sluis, P. van, Hoekstra, E. & Velde, H. Van de (2016). Bildts as a mixed language. //International Journal of the Sociology of Language//, 2016 (242), 59-80. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ijsl-2016-0033.)). They concluded that Bildts is neither a Frisian nor a Dutch dialect, but a mixed language. Eric Hoekstra, one of the co-authors: "We hope that our analysis of Bildts, as a mixed language rather than as a dialect of either Frisian or Dutch, may serve the policy makers of the Ministry, who will decide on the recognition of Bildts as a language" ((Fryske Akademy. (2016). //Is het Bildts een zelfstandige taal?// [Is Bildts an independant language?]. Fryske Akademy. https://www.fryske-akademy.nl/nl/nieuws-en-agenda/nieuwsbericht/news/detail/News/is-het-bildts-een-zelfstandige-taal/.)) ((Original quote in Dutch:"Wij hopen dat we de beleidsmakers van het Ministerie, die over de erkenning van het Bildts als taal beslissen, van dienst kunnen zijn met onze analyse van het Bildts als een mengtaal, die noch als dialect van het Fries, noch als dialect van het Nederlands gezien kan worden."))
+For this, researchers at the Fryske Akademy were asked to research Bildts, which led to several publications((Fryske Akademy. (2016). //Is het Bildts een zelfstandige taal?// [Is Bildts an independant language?]. Fryske Akademy. https://www.fryske-akademy.nl/nl/nieuws-en-agenda/nieuwsbericht/news/detail/News/is-het-bildts-een-zelfstandige-taal/.))((Van Sluis, P. (2015). //Seven perspectives on Bildts: The Bildts language status in a European context//. Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning. [[https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/1479608/Mercator_report_Seven_perspectives_on_Bildts_June2015.pdf]].))((Sluis, P. van, Hoekstra, E. & Velde, H. Van de (2016). Bildts as a mixed language. //International Journal of the Sociology of Language//, 2016 (242), 59-80. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ijsl-2016-0033.)). They concluded that Bildts is neither a Frisian nor a Dutch dialect, but a mixed language. Eric Hoekstra, one of the co-authors: 'We hope that our analysis of Bildts, as a mixed language rather than as a dialect of either Frisian or Dutch, may serve the policy makers of the Ministry, who will decide on the recognition of Bildts as a language'((Fryske Akademy. (2016). //Is het Bildts een zelfstandige taal?// [Is Bildts an independant language?]. Fryske Akademy. https://www.fryske-akademy.nl/nl/nieuws-en-agenda/nieuwsbericht/news/detail/News/is-het-bildts-een-zelfstandige-taal/.)) ((Original quote in Dutch:'Wij hopen dat we de beleidsmakers van het Ministerie, die over de erkenning van het Bildts als taal beslissen, van dienst kunnen zijn met onze analyse van het Bildts als een mengtaal, die noch als dialect van het Fries, noch als dialect van het Nederlands gezien kan worden.'))
 Despite the efforts, Bildts was not recognised via the [[general_information:european_legislation|ECRML]], but the language has received recognition at both provincial and municipal level.
 ==== European Legislation====
-In 2016, municipality Het Bildt and language activists were in pursuit of recognition for Bildts under [[general_information:glossary_of_terms#Part II of the European Charter for Regional and Minority languages|part II]] of [[general_information:glossary_of_terms#European Charter for Regional and Minority languages|European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages]]. They received support of the Province of Fryslân for this recognition, but the Dutch government decided not to recognise Bildts as a regional or minority language.((Sluis, P. van, Hoekstra, E. & Velde, H. Van de (2016). Bildts as a mixed language. //International Journal of the Sociology of Language//, 2016 (242), 59-80. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ijsl-2016-0033.))((Parlementaire Monitor. (2016). //Brief regering; Verzoek om erkenning van het Bildts onder het Europees Handvest voor regionale talen of talen van minderheden//. Parlementaire Monitor. Retrieved from [[https://www.parlementairemonitor.nl/9353000/1/j9vvij5epmj1ey0/vka8r6z77jzj]].))
+The Netherlands has signed and ratified the [[general_information:glossary_of_terms#European Charter for Regional and Minority languages|European Charter for Regional and Minority languages]] by the Council of Europe, which came into force in 1998. Nevertheless, Bildts is not among the recognised regional or minority languages in the Netherlands.
-This decision came after a negative advise from the //Taalunie// (Language Union) in 2016. The Union was of the opinion that, though Bildts as hybrid language is neither Dutch nor Frisian, it does not mean Bildts is a language rather than a variery of either Dutch of Frisian. The Union states that the purpose of the Charter is not to "elevate more regional languages to distinct cultural languages. Mixed varieties do not need an own umbrella if they can shelter underneath the common umbrella of existing cultural languages." ((Raadswerkgroep het Bildts. (2016). //Taalunieadvies over de erkenning van het Bildts.// Taalunie. Original quote in Dutch: "Het Europees Handvest heeft tot doelstelling bestaande cultuurtalen te beschermen, niet meer streektalen tot aparte cultuurtalen te verheffen. Gemengde variëteiten hoeven geen eigen paraplu’s te krijgen als ze onder de gezamenlijke paraplu’s van bestaande cultuurtalen kunnen schuilen."))
+In 2016, municipality Het Bildt and language activists were in pursuit of recognition for Bildts under [[general_information:glossary_of_terms#Part II of the European Charter for Regional and Minority languages|part II]] of European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages. They received support of the Province of Fryslân for this recognition, but the Dutch government decided not to recognise Bildts as a regional or minority language.((Sluis, P. van, Hoekstra, E. & Velde, H. Van de (2016). Bildts as a mixed language. //International Journal of the Sociology of Language//, 2016 (242), 59-80. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ijsl-2016-0033.))((Parlementaire Monitor. (2016). //Brief regering; Verzoek om erkenning van het Bildts onder het Europees Handvest voor regionale talen of talen van minderheden//. Parlementaire Monitor. Retrieved from [[https://www.parlementairemonitor.nl/9353000/1/j9vvij5epmj1ey0/vka8r6z77jzj]].)) This decision came after a negative advise from the //Taalunie// (Language Union) in 2016. The Union was of the opinion that, though Bildts as hybrid language is neither Dutch nor Frisian, it does not mean Bildts is a language rather than a variery of either Dutch of Frisian. The Union states that the purpose of the Charter is not to 'elevate more regional languages to distinct cultural languages. Mixed varieties do not need an own umbrella if they can shelter underneath the common umbrella of existing cultural languages.' ((Raadswerkgroep het Bildts. (2016). //Taalunieadvies over de erkenning van het Bildts.// Taalunie. Original quote in Dutch: 'Het Europees Handvest heeft tot doelstelling bestaande cultuurtalen te beschermen, niet meer streektalen tot aparte cultuurtalen te verheffen. Gemengde variëteiten hoeven geen eigen paraplu’s te krijgen als ze onder de gezamenlijke paraplu’s van bestaande cultuurtalen kunnen schuilen.'))
 ==== National Legislation====
-Bildts is not recognised as a regional or minority language in the Netherlands. In 2017, after the negative advise of the //Taalunie// (Language Union), a petition to recognise Bildts was presented to members of the  Dutch Parliament and Senate, but the topic was not discussed in the plenary session on the amalgamation ((Omrop Fryslân. (2017, February 7). Petysje Bilkerts foar erkenning taal oerlange yn Den Haag [Bildts people for recognition language submit petition in Den Hague].// Omrop Fryslân//. [[https://www.omropfryslan.nl/nijs/697061-petysje-bilkerts-foar-erkenning-taal-oerlange-yn-den-haag]].))((Tweede Kamer, (2017). //Samenvoeging gemeenten// [amalgamation municipalities]. [[https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/detail?id=2018D16205&did=2018D16205]].))((Omrop Fryslân. (2018, March 13). Provinsje stipet Waadhoeke om Biltsk taalbelied te meitsjen [province supports Waadhoeke to develop Bildts language policy].// Omrop Fryslân//. [[https://www.omropfryslan.nl/nijs/797140-provinsje-stipet-waadhoeke-om-biltsk-taalbelied-te-meitsjen]].)).
+Bildts is not recognised as a regional or minority language in the Netherlands. In 2017, after the negative advise of the //Taalunie// (Language Union), a petition to recognise Bildts was presented to members of the  Dutch Parliament and Senate, but the topic was not discussed in the plenary session on the amalgamation.((Omrop Fryslân. (2017, February 7). Petysje Bilkerts foar erkenning taal oerlange yn Den Haag [Bildts people for recognition language submit petition in Den Hague].// Omrop Fryslân//. [[https://www.omropfryslan.nl/nijs/697061-petysje-bilkerts-foar-erkenning-taal-oerlange-yn-den-haag]].))((Tweede Kamer, (2017). //Samenvoeging gemeenten// [amalgamation municipalities]. [[https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/detail?id=2018D16205&did=2018D16205]].))((Omrop Fryslân. (2018, March 13). Provinsje stipet Waadhoeke om Biltsk taalbelied te meitsjen [province supports Waadhoeke to develop Bildts language policy].// Omrop Fryslân//. [[https://www.omropfryslan.nl/nijs/797140-provinsje-stipet-waadhoeke-om-biltsk-taalbelied-te-meitsjen]].))
-Legislation regarding education is made at national level.
+Legislation regarding education is made at the national level in the Netherlands.
 ** Pre-school education (0-4 years)**
-The law for pre-school education, the //Wet Kinderopvang// [Childcare Act], allows for regional language varieties "which are in lively use" as medium of instruction, alongside Dutch ((Wet Kinderopvang, BWBR0017017 [Childcare Act]. (2004, July 9). Retrieved October 15, 2024, from [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0017017/2023-01-01/0]])).
+The law for pre-school education, the //Wet Kinderopvang// [Childcare Act], allows for regional language varieties 'which are in living use' as medium of instruction, in addition to Dutch.((Wet Kinderopvang, BWBR0017017 [Childcare Act]. (2004, July 9). Retrieved October 15, 2024, from [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0017017/2023-01-01/0]]))
-As of January 2025, there is a legal requirement for employees to have a Dutch language certificate at B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference ((ministerie SZW, Ministerie OCW & Brancheorganisatie Kinderopvang. (2024, december 24). //De taaleis in de kinderopvang: Aantoonbaarheidseisen taaleis IKK en taaleis VE// [The language requirement in day care: requirements of demonstrability language requirement IKK and language requirement VE]. Overheid. [[https://open.overheid.nl/documenten/fd15d555-b0f8-46de-9329-d309fc2c74a2/file]].)). Employees who use Frisian or another language full time, are exempt for a Dutch certificate, but are required to have a certificate at B2 level for the language of instruction.
+As of January 2025, there is a legal requirement for employees to have a Dutch language certificate at B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference.((ministerie SZW, Ministerie OCW & Brancheorganisatie Kinderopvang. (2024, december 24). //De taaleis in de kinderopvang: Aantoonbaarheidseisen taaleis IKK en taaleis VE// [The language requirement in day care: requirements of demonstrability language requirement IKK and language requirement VE]. Overheid. [[https://open.overheid.nl/documenten/fd15d555-b0f8-46de-9329-d309fc2c74a2/file]].)) Employees who use Frisian or another language full time, are exempt for a Dutch certificate, but are required to have a certificate at B2 level for the language of instruction.
 **Primary school education (4-12 years) **
-The law for primary education, the //Wet op het primair onderwijs// [Primary Education Act], allows for regional language varieties "which are in lively use" as medium of instruction, alongside Dutch ((Wet op het primair onderwijs , BWBR0003420 [Primary Education Act]. (1981, July 2). Retrieved October 15, 2024, from [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0003420/2023-01-01/0]].)).
+The law for primary education, the //Wet op het primair onderwijs// [Primary Education Act], allows for regional language varieties 'which are in living use' as medium of instruction, alongside Dutch.((Wet op het primair onderwijs , BWBR0003420 [Primary Education Act]. (1981, July 2). Retrieved October 15, 2024, from [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0003420/2023-01-01/0]].))
 ** 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 varieties "which are in lively use" can be used as medium of instruction, alongside Dutch. However, this passage no longer is included. 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 ((Wet op het voortgezet onderwijs 2020, BWBR0044212 [Secondary Education Act 0f 2020]. (2020, September 30). Retrieved Octobe 15, 2024, from [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0044212/2024-01-01/0]].)).
+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 varieties 'which are in living use' can be used as medium of instruction, alongside Dutch. However, this passage no longer is included. 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 ((Wet op het voortgezet onderwijs 2020, BWBR0044212 [Secondary Education Act 0f 2020]. (2020, September 30). Retrieved Octobe 15, 2024, from [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0044212/2024-01-01/0]].)).
@@ Line 118: / Line 118: @@
 === Provincial level ===
-Though legislation regarding education is made at national level, the Provincial Government of Fryslân has primary authority regarding Frisian education via a policy rule, which also encompasses opportunities for schools to teach other regional languages ((Provincie Fryslân. (2015). Beleidsregel voor het verkrijgen van ontheffing voor het vak Fries in het primair en voortgezet onderwijs [Policy rule for obtaining exemptions for the subject of Frisian in primary and secondary education]. //Provinciaal blad van Fryslân// 2015, 3671. [[https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/prb-2015-3671.html]].)). In addition to the national legislation which allows for Bildts to be used as medium of instruction, Bildts can be taught as subject alongside or instead of Frisian at primary level((Varkevisser, N. A. & Walsweer, A. P. (2018). It Bilt. In Varkevisser, N. A. & Walsweer, A. P., //It is mei sizzen net te dwaan: rapport taalplan Frysk - Ynventarisaasje nei de stân fan saken oangeande it (fak) Frysk yn it primêr en fuortset ûnderwiis// [Actions speak louder than words. Report on the Frisian Language Plan: Inventory of the state of affairs regarding Frisian in primary and secondary education] (pp.128-136). Provinsje Fryslân.)).
+Though legislation regarding education is made at national level, the Provincial Government of Fryslân has primary authority regarding Frisian education via a policy rule, which also encompasses opportunities for schools to teach other regional languages ((Provincie Fryslân. (2015). Beleidsregel voor het verkrijgen van ontheffing voor het vak Fries in het primair en voortgezet onderwijs [Policy rule for obtaining exemptions for the subject of Frisian in primary and secondary education]. //Provinciaal blad van Fryslân// 2015, 3671. [[https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/prb-2015-3671.html]].)). In addition to the national legislation which allows for Bildts to be taught and used as medium of instruction, Bildts can be taught as subject alongside or instead of Frisian at primary level((Varkevisser, N. A. & Walsweer, A. P. (2018). It Bilt. In Varkevisser, N. A. & Walsweer, A. P., //It is mei sizzen net te dwaan: rapport taalplan Frysk - Ynventarisaasje nei de stân fan saken oangeande it (fak) Frysk yn it primêr en fuortset ûnderwiis// [Actions speak louder than words. Report on the Frisian Language Plan: Inventory of the state of affairs regarding Frisian in primary and secondary education] (pp.128-136). Provinsje Fryslân.)).
-The Dutch state, the Province of Fryslân and amalgamated municipalities, including Waadhoeke have signed the agreement [[https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stcrt-2017-69672.html|Bestjoerlike oerienkomst Frysk taalbelied yn de nije gemeenten Ljouwert en Súdwest-Fryslân en yn de nij te foarmjen gemeente Waadhoeke]] ('Administrative Agreement Frisian Language Policy in the New Municipalities Leeuwarden and Súdwest-Fryslân and the Upcoming Municipality Waadhoeke')(2017), which states that Waadhoeke will strive to include Bildts in a multilingual language policy.
+Representatives of the Dutch government, the government of Province of Fryslân and amalgamated municipalities, including Waadhoeke, have signed the agreement [[https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stcrt-2017-69672.html|Bestjoerlike oerienkomst Frysk taalbelied yn de nije gemeenten Ljouwert en Súdwest-Fryslân en yn de nij te foarmjen gemeente Waadhoeke]] ('Administrative Agreement Frisian Language Policy in the New Municipalities Leeuwarden and Súdwest-Fryslân and the Upcoming Municipality Waadhoeke')(2017), which states that Waadhoeke will strive to include Bildts in a multilingual language policy.
@@ Line 127: / Line 127: @@
 === Municipal level ===
-For education, municipalities can set standards tied to subsidy, to be implemented for a type of pre-school education, called Vroeg- en Voorschoolse educatie [Early and Pre-school education] within pre-school education ((Wet Kinderopvang, BWBR0017017 [Childcare Act]. (2004, July 9). Retrieved October 15, 2024, from [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0017017/2023-01-01/0]])). As such, Waadhoeke has added an article (Art. 10) within their policy, in which day care centres need to cooperate with the multilingual language policy of Waadhoeke. For example, centres have to offer and/or develop activities to stimulate a language-rich environment, with attention to multilingualism and home languages used by the children ((Gemeente Waadhoeke. (2022). //Subsidieregeling Peuteropvang en Voor- en vroegschoolse educatie, gemeente Waadhoeke 2022// [Subsidy scheme for toddler care and pre-school and early childhood education, municipality of Waadhoeke 2022]. [[https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/gmb-2022-28041.pdf]].)).
+For a type of pre-school education, called Vroeg- en Voorschoolse educatie [Early and Pre-school education] within pre-school education ((Wet Kinderopvang, BWBR0017017 [Childcare Act]. (2004, July 9). Retrieved October 15, 2024, from [[https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0017017/2023-01-01/0]])), municipalities can set standards tied to subsidy for these pre-school centres. As such, the municipality Waadhoeke has an article (Art. 10) in their policy, which stats day care centres receiving this subsidy need to comply with the multilingual language policy of Waadhoeke. For example, centres have to offer and/or develop activities to stimulate a language-rich environment, with attention to multilingualism and the home languages used by the children ((Gemeente Waadhoeke. (2022). //Subsidieregeling Peuteropvang en Voor- en vroegschoolse educatie, gemeente Waadhoeke 2022// [Subsidy scheme for toddler care and pre-school and early childhood education, municipality of Waadhoeke 2022]. [[https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/gmb-2022-28041.pdf]].)).
-Since its start in 2018, the municipality Waadhoeke has implemented a multilingual language policy, with support of the four main languages in the municipality: Bildts, Dutch, Franekers and Frisian. The first language policy document [[https://ris2.ibabs.eu/Agenda/Details/waadhoeke/446f84ee-e546-49ee-9131-380f0ad3931f|Waadhoeke: Lân fan Taal]] [Waadhoeke: Land of Languages] promotes multilingualism,  including Bildts, supports Bildts education, and specifies financial support.
+Since its foundation in 2018, the municipality Waadhoeke has implemented a multilingual language policy, with support of the four main languages in the municipality: Bildts, Dutch, Franekers and Frisian. The first language policy document [[https://ris2.ibabs.eu/Agenda/Details/waadhoeke/446f84ee-e546-49ee-9131-380f0ad3931f|Waadhoeke: Lân fan Taal]] [Waadhoeke: Land of Languages] promoted multilingualism, including Bildts, supported Bildts education, and specified financial support.
-In 2021, as first municipality of Fryslân (and the Netherlands), the municipality appointed a //meertalighydskoördinator// [Coordinator for Multilingualism], to succesfully implement the language policy, and promote multilingualism among organisations, businesses and the municipality ((Waadhoeke (n.d.). Bildts. //Waadhoeke//. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from [[https://www.waadhoeke.nl/bildts]].)). This coordinator founded and presedes the //Taalplatform Waddenhoek// [Language Platform Waadhoeke] to connect organisations and initiatives, and has initiated the //Taalprijs Waadhoeke// [Language Award Waadhoeke] to award a language initiative on UNESCO's International Motherlanguage Day.
+In 2021, as the first municipality in Fryslân (and the Netherlands), the municipality Waadhoeke appointed a //meertalighydskoördinator// (Coordinator for Multilingualism), to succesfully implement the language policy, and promote multilingualism among organisations, businesses and the municipality ((Waadhoeke (n.d.). Bildts. //Waadhoeke//. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from [[https://www.waadhoeke.nl/bildts]].)). This coordinator founded and presedes the //Taalplatform Waddenhoek// (Language Platform Waadhoeke) to connect organisations and initiatives, and has initiated the //Taalprijs Waadhoeke// (Language Award Waadhoeke) to award a language initiative on UNESCO's International Mother language Day.
 ===== Institutional support for education of the language: =====
 ==== Institutional support ====
-Bildts education and educational materials is supported and provided by e.g.:
+ There are a few organisations which (among other things) promote and support Bildts in education, including:
   * [[https://bildtsaigene.nl/|Bildts Aigene]], a foundation originating in //Stichting Ôns Bildt// and the former cooperative entity //Bildts documentatiecentrum//. Bildts Aigene has a section Language and Education, which, according to their year report 2019:((Bildts Aigene. (2020). //Jaarverslag 2019// [Annual report 2019. [[https://bildtsaigene.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/jaarferslag-2019-AB.pdf]].))
     * organises language courses for both native and non-native speakers, both in class as well as online;
@@ Line 145: / Line 145: @@
   * [[http://meertalighyd.nl/|Kemissy Meertalighyd]], was part of the umbrella organisation of Stichting Bildts Aigene since 2015, but not anymore.((Bildts Aigene. (2020). //Jaarverslag 2019// [Annual report 2019. [[https://bildtsaigene.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/jaarferslag-2019-AB.pdf]].)) The committee provides multilingual materials as well as information on multilingualism, and collaborates with [[https://www.cedinonderwijs.nl/themas/meertalig-onderwijs/|Cedin’s Centre for Multilingualism]]. The materials of Kemmissy Meertalighyd are aimed at teachers in the municipality Waadhoeke.
   * [[https://www.cedinonderwijs.nl/meertalig-onderwijs-cursussen/|Cedin’s Centre for Multilingualism]], an educational organisation which supports schools in Fryslân to embed multilingualism within education.
-  * [[https://afuk.frl/|Afûk]], an organisation for Frisian edcucation, developer of educational materials and a publishing house. Afûk also develops materials in Bildts for regular activities.
+  * [[https://afuk.frl/|Afûk]], an organisation for Frisian edcucation, developer of educational materials and a publishing house. Afûk also develops materials in Bildts for regular activities, such as the the yearly //lês-mar-foar-wiken// (reading aloud weeks), when reading to children is promoted during September.
 ==== Educational materials ====
@@ Line 152: / Line 152: @@
 The province of Fryslân and municipality has financially supported the production of pre-school and primary school educational materials in Bildts((Deputearre Steaten fan Fryslân. (2018). //Moasje 1141, erkenning Biltsk// [Motion 1141, recognition Bildts]. [[https://cms.fnp.frl/cms/bijlagen/20180313_Brief_DS_Moasje_1141_erkenning_Biltsk.pdf]].))((Van Sluis, P. (2015). //Seven perspectives on Bildts: The Bildts language status in a European context//. Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning. [[https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/1479608/Mercator_report_Seven_perspectives_on_Bildts_June2015.pdf]].)). Almost all materials are made available online for free by //Bildts Aigene// and //Kemissy Meertalighyd//.
-=== Pre-school ===
+=== Pre-school materials ===
-For pre-school, the Frisian series //Tomke// has been translated to Bildts, both books as short stories. Tomke is to be read to children aged 2-4 to stimulate the language use. The //Bildtse Post//, the local newspaper (which was published until 2023((Omrop Fryslân. (2023, September 11). It doek falt foar De Nije Bildtse Post: krante kin finansjeel net mear út [The new Bildtse Post will discontinue: the newspaper has financial difficulties. //Omrop Fryslân.// [[https://www.omropfryslan.nl/nl/nieuws/1222258/het-doek-valt-voor-de-nije-bildtse-post-de-krant-kan-financieel-niet-uit]].))), also published a Tomke story every week for a longer period, around 200 in total((Lokaal Nieuwsnet. (August, 29, 2018). Bildtse foorleesferhaaltsys Tomke in de Bildtse Post [Bildts reading stories Tomke in the Bildtse Post]//. Bildtse Post//. [[https://www.bildtsepost.nl/bildtsepost/cultuur/bildtse-foorleesferhaaltsys-tomke-in-de-bildtse-post]].)).
+For pre-school, the Frisian children books and materials of //Tomke// have been translated to Bildts. Tomke is to be read to children aged 2-4 to stimulate the language use. The //Bildtse Post//, the local newspaper (which was published until 2023((Omrop Fryslân. (2023, September 11). It doek falt foar De Nije Bildtse Post: krante kin finansjeel net mear út [The new Bildtse Post will discontinue: the newspaper has financial difficulties. //Omrop Fryslân.// [[https://www.omropfryslan.nl/nl/nieuws/1222258/het-doek-valt-voor-de-nije-bildtse-post-de-krant-kan-financieel-niet-uit]].))), also published a short Tomke story in Bildts every week for a longer period, around 200 stories in total((Lokaal Nieuwsnet. (August, 29, 2018). Bildtse foorleesferhaaltsys Tomke in de Bildtse Post [Bildts reading stories Tomke in the Bildtse Post]//. Bildtse Post//. [[https://www.bildtsepost.nl/bildtsepost/cultuur/bildtse-foorleesferhaaltsys-tomke-in-de-bildtse-post]].)).
-Every September there is a reading campaign in Fryslân, the [[https://lesmarfoar.frl/|Lês mar foar!]] [Reading aloud!]. Every year, a theme is given (connected to the national Reading week theme), and many activities are organised. For toddlers, a //Tomke// book is published with that theme, in Frisian, as well as in Bildts (and other regional languages).
+Every September there is a reading campaign in Fryslân, the [[https://lesmarfoar.frl/|lês-mar-foar-wiken]] (reading aloud weeks). Every year in September, many reading activities are oranised, and the //lês-mar-foar-wiken// have a central theme, that is connected to the theme of the national Reading Week. The main focus of this campaign is th Frisian, but regional languages are included. For toddlers, a //Tomke// book is published connected to the central theme. This //Tomke// book is published in Frisian, as well as in Bildts and other regional languages such as Stellingwerfs and Franekers.
-=== Primary school ===
+=== Primary school materials  ===
-There is one study book made in Bildts for the two highest years of primary scool, which is //Bildtse Taalrotonde//, published by the Komissy Meertalighyd in 2006. It is translated from the Frisian study book //Fryske Taalrotonde//.
+There is one study book in Bildts for the two highest years of primary scool (aged 10-12 years), which is //Bildtse Taalrotonde//, published by the Komissy Meertalighyd in 2006. It is translated from the Frisian study book //Fryske Taalrotonde//.
 Moreover, there are various [[http://meertalighyd.nl/materialen/meertalige-materialen.html|learning materials]] developed by //Komissy Meertalighyd// (in cooperation with //Cedin//):
@@ Line 170: / Line 170: @@
   * Songs (e.g. CD //Speule met Bildts//)
-Two primary schools have made own materials to use in class, one school for all levels, the other school for the lower and middle years.((Varkevisser, N. A. & Walsweer, A. P. (2018). It Bilt. In Varkevisser, N. A. & Walsweer, A. P., //It is mei sizzen net te dwaan: rapport taalplan Frysk - Ynventarisaasje nei de stân fan saken oangeande it (fak) Frysk yn it primêr en fuortset ûnderwiis// [Actions speak louder than words. Report on the Frisian Language Plan: Inventory of the state of affairs regarding Frisian in primary and secondary education] (pp.128-136). Provinsje Fryslân.))
+Two primary schools have created their own materials to use in class, one school for all levels (4-12 years), the other school for the lower and middle years (4-10 years).((Varkevisser, N. A. & Walsweer, A. P. (2018). It Bilt. In Varkevisser, N. A. & Walsweer, A. P., //It is mei sizzen net te dwaan: rapport taalplan Frysk - Ynventarisaasje nei de stân fan saken oangeande it (fak) Frysk yn it primêr en fuortset ûnderwiis// [Actions speak louder than words. Report on the Frisian Language Plan: Inventory of the state of affairs regarding Frisian in primary and secondary education] (pp.128-136). Provinsje Fryslân.))
-During the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, a Bildts colouring and story booklet was published and provided for free for the first three years of primary schools.((Franeker Courant. (May 14, 2020). Kleur- en leesboekje voor leerlingen Bildtse basisscholen [=[Colour and reading book for pupils at Bildts schools]. // Franeker Courant//. [[https://franekercourant.nl/artikel/1103436/kleur-en-leesboekje-voor-leerlingen-bildtse-basisscholen.html ]].))
+During the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, a Bildts colouring and story booklet was published and provided for free for the first three years (aged 4-7 years) of primary schools.((Franeker Courant. (May 14, 2020). Kleur- en leesboekje voor leerlingen Bildtse basisscholen [=[Colour and reading book for pupils at Bildts schools]. // Franeker Courant//. [[https://franekercourant.nl/artikel/1103436/kleur-en-leesboekje-voor-leerlingen-bildtse-basisscholen.html ]].))
-Materials regarding multilingualism are made as well, which could be used to include Bildts, by organisations and/or initiatives such as [[https://www.inspirerendmeertaligonderwijs.nl/overzicht-projecten|Inspirerend Meertalig Onderwijs]] [Inspriring Multilingual Education].
+More general materials regarding multilingualism are made as well, which could be used to include Bildts, by organisations and/or initiatives such as [[https://www.inspirerendmeertaligonderwijs.nl/overzicht-projecten|Inspirerend Meertalig Onderwijs]] [Inspriring Multilingual Education].
-=== Adult education ===
+=== Adult education materials ===
 //Bildts Aigene// is the main organisor of Bildts courses for adults, and as such, also offers the online learning environment, [[https://bildts.edufrysk.nl/registreren-keuzescherm|Digibildts]].
 ==== Financial support ====
-The educational activities are financially supported by the municipality, but nonetheless "also exist by the grace of volunteer effort, having allowed this infrastructure to exist cost-effectively"(p.25)((Van Sluis, P. (2015). //Seven perspectives on Bildts: The Bildts language status in a European context//. Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning. [[https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/1479608/Mercator_report_Seven_perspectives_on_Bildts_June2015.pdf]].)).
+The educational activities are financially supported by the municipality, but nonetheless 'also exist by the grace of volunteer effort, having allowed this infrastructure to exist cost-effectively'(p.25)((Van Sluis, P. (2015). //Seven perspectives on Bildts: The Bildts language status in a European context//. Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning. [[https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/1479608/Mercator_report_Seven_perspectives_on_Bildts_June2015.pdf]].)).
 ==== Teacher support ====