• In the language itself: Grunnegs
• ISO 639-3 standard: gos

• Classification: Indo-European → Germanic → Northwest Germanic → West Germanic → North Sea Germanic → Altsächsisch → Middle-Modern Low German → Low German → West Low German → North Low Saxon → Gronings. For more information, see gron1242 at Glottolog
• Script: Latin

Low Saxon is not one standardised language, but a language family. The main varieties in the Netherlands are Achterhoeks, Drents, Gronings, Sallands, Stellingwerfs, Twents, Urks and Veluws. Within these varieties of Low Saxon, different dialects can be found. Examples of the dialects that constitute Gronings are Groningen-East Frisian, Veenkoloniaals, Westerwolds and West Groningen. ¹⁾ The varieties within the province of Groningen are however codified (Bloemhoff et al., 2013, p. 499). ²⁾
Spelling rules were introduced in the early 1950s in Groningen, which were based on the second edition of K. ter Laan's Nieuw Gronings Woordenboek (Bloemhoff et al., 2020, p. 84). ³⁾ In the 1980s Siemon Reker published an adapted version of ter Laan's dictionary (ibid). ⁴⁾ The dictionaries of ter Laan and Reker, as well as Reker's spelling rules for Gronings, can be found on WoordWaark. The website is a joint effort of the Centrum Groninger Taal & Cultuur and the University of Groningen.

A research project in 2003 focused on eliciting command and use of Low Saxon varieties in nine areas. The results for the province of Groningen show that out of the then population (574,500) 77.7% declare to be able to speak their variety but only 45.6% actual use Gronings, or together in combination with Dutch, at home (Bloemhoff et al. 2013, p. 499). ⁵⁾ The percentages for their ability to read and actual frequent reading are similar (72.6% and 46.4%) (ibid). ⁶⁾ All answers were self-reported estimations by the respondents (ibid). ⁷⁾

The Low Saxon (also: West-Low German) language area spans across the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark (see image 1). In the Netherlands, a substantial north-eastern part is traditionally referred to as the Low Saxon area ⁸⁾ The geographical area referred to stretches from the province of Groningen southwards to the eastern corner of Utrecht province, more precisely the Veluwe, and to the Achterhoek in Gelderland⁹⁾(see image 2). Gronings is mainly spoken in the province of Groningen, the north-eastern province of the Netherlands, but also in the bordering provinces of Fryslân and Drenthe (see image 3).

_{Image 1. Map showing the Low Saxon language area in the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark ¹⁰⁾
Image 2. Map showing the Low Saxon language area in the Netherlands, with the province of Groningen in the north-east ¹¹⁾
Image 3. Map showing the Gronings language area, in the provinve of Groningen, as well as Fryslân and Drenthe, with various dialects ¹²⁾}

Factors such as gender, educational background or urbanisation only plays a little role in number of speakers of Nedersaksisch in comparison to the aspect of age (Bloemhoff et al., 2020, p. 116).¹³⁾ The numbers for speakers who mainly use their regional variety at home show a substantial difference between the age group of 61 and above, and the age group from 18 to 39 (ibid).¹⁴⁾ 40% of the older age group use their language at home while only 17% of the younger age group do so (ibid). ¹⁵⁾

Low Saxon has never been part of education curriculum and schools are not obligated to incorporate any kind of courses on Low Saxon (Bloemhoff et al., 2020, p. 105).¹⁶⁾ Low Saxon is barely represented in traditional media. It is not in use in national broadcasting but sometimes on local and regional television or radio (Bloemhoff et al. 2020, p. 109). ¹⁷⁾ The regional station in Groningen, RTV Noord, airs for about 15 hours per week in Gronings (ibid).¹⁸⁾ Online learning resources have only been started to be developed recently, as will be discussed in the chapters below.

The Netherlands signed and ratified the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages by the Council of Europe and it came into force in 1998. Within the Charter Low Saxon is protected under Part II Article 7 ¹⁹⁾ This facilitates its promotion across different layers of society such as education:

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

Though the Netherlands has signed and ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities by the Council of Europe in 2005, Low Saxons are not recognised as a national minority.

The Covenant on the Recognition by The Netherlands of the Low Saxon Regional Language (English version) was signed by the Minister of Interior and the governmental representatives of the provinces of Drenthe, Fryslân, Gelderland, Groningen, Overijssel, and of the municipalities of West- and Ooststellingwerf on October 18th, 2018. The province of Flevoland and the municipalities of Urk and Bunschoten joined at a later moment, and signed the covenant on September 13th, 2024 ²⁰⁾.

With the Covenant, the Dutch government “recognises the Low Saxon regional language as an intrinsic, integral and independent part of the language system of the Netherlands”, and all parties “will make every effort within their power and will cooperate to preserve the Low Saxon language in the Netherlands and to promote its use, without passing new legislation” (translations from https://rm.coe.int/netherlandspr6-appendix-2-en/1680950097). Possibilities for education are mentioned in reference to the national educational laws.

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 ²¹⁾. This allows for the use of Gronings.

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 ²²⁾. Employees who use 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)

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 ²³⁾. This allows for the use of Gronings, as underlined by the Covenant on the Recognition by The Netherlands of the Low Saxon Regional 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 ²⁴⁾. Nevertheless, the Dutch government continues to state on their website that it is possible and allowed to teach Low Saxon in secondary education ²⁵⁾.

There are various organisationsw which e.g. support Gronings in education, for example:

• Centrum Groninger Taal & Cultuur. The Centre for Groninger Language & Culture (CGTC) is a centre for heritage and language of Groningen. It organises adult language courses and cultural and/or language events, creates learningmaterials, does research and has initiated the digital dictionary WoordWaark.
• Levende Talen Nedersaksisch the teacher association Levende Talen with the department for Low Saxon
• The chair of Low Saxon / Groningen Language and Cultureat the University of Groningen, with the professor by special appointment on behalf of the Stichting Groninger Universiteitsfonds.
• Grunneger Cultuurcentrum The Groninber Cultural Centre hosts three Groninger organisations: the Stichting t Grunneger Bouk [The association for the Groninger Book], De Boukenkist [a book store], and the magazine Toal en Taiken.

Resources for Gronings are made available for different age groups, but with a focus on primary education.

Created by the Centrum Groninger Taal & Cultuur (CGTC) are:

• Klunderloa [Gronings for “drawer with odd and ends”] is a digital environment with materials for all ages in primary education, for groups 1-2 (ages 4-6), 3-4 (ages 6-8), 5-6 (ages 8-10), and 7-8 (ages 10-12), with songs, stories and poems. Klunderloa is not only aimed at being used in a classroom setting but also at home with caregivers. In 2019 an app game project, also initiated by CGTC, has received funding to teach children the regional language in about 20 villages in Groningen.²⁶⁾
• Wiesneus is a magazine, published once a year, which schools can receive for free (subsided by the province of Groningen. The Wiesneus project was originally launched for Drents by the Huus van de Toal (engl. House of the Language) and is now translated into other varieties of Low Saxon, including Gronings. The new edition is published in March, which is the month of the regional languages, and includes instructions and materials for teachers, as well as audio files ²⁷⁾.

Created by Levende Talen Nedersaksisch:

• materials for Gronings, including assignments, songs, stories, poems, and games for all ages in primary education (groups 1-2 (ages 4-6); groups 3,4,5 (ages 6-10); groups 7-8 (ages 10-12).

Created by the University of Groningen:

• Lespakket Van Old noar Jong: Aan de slag met de Groninger taal [Lessons “From old to young: get started with the Groninger language]. This package is aimed for primary school, groups 7-8 (ages 10-12). It encouraged pupils to discuss and discover more about Gronings within their family and environment. It includes a game, assigments, and instructions for the teacher.

The education law does not declare the use of Gronings to be compulsory in preschools. Preschools may decide themselves if they choose to use the regional language, next to Dutch ²⁸⁾.

Similarly to preschool, primary schools may also choose on their own whether or not they want to use Gronings in class ²⁹⁾.

Some primary schools use Gronings but it is not yet structurally implemented ³⁰⁾ When schools integrate Gronings they often do this in the course of a project ³¹⁾. A primary school which includes Gronings from group 4 (ages 7-8) and onwards by means of the “Groninger gallery”, is the primary school De Regenboog in Bedum ³²⁾

Though it is no longer explicitly mentioned in the law, Gronings may be taught in secondary school ³³⁾.

CGCT has a programme developed of ten weeks for students in secondary school ³⁴⁾, but it is not clear whether there are secondary schools which include Gronings.

CGCT organises various courses for adults to learn Gronings, aimed at speaking skills, writing skills, and at beginning and advanced learners. In March 2025, CGCT also launched an online beginner course, the MOOC Gronings ³⁵⁾

In 2018 the University of Groningen introduced a professor by special appointment of Low Saxon/Groningen Language and Culture. ³⁶⁾ This appointment is tightly connected to the Faculty of Arts and the Centrum Groninger Taal & Cultuur (CGTC). The special appointment aims at strengthening the position of Gronings within the province and also in academia.

• Centrum Groninger Taal & Cultuur. The Centre for Groninger Language & Culture (CGTC) is a centre for heritage and language of Groningen. It organises adult language courses and cultural and/or language events, creates learningmaterials, does research and has initiated the digital dictionary WoordWaark.
• Levende Talen Nedersaksisch the teacher association Levende Talen with the department for Low Saxon
• The chair of Low Saxon / Groningen Language and Cultureat the University of Groningen, with the professor by special appointment on behalf of the Stichting Groninger Universiteitsfonds.
• Grunneger Cultuurcentrum The Groninber Cultural Centre hosts three Groninger organisations: the Stichting t Grunneger Bouk [The association for the Groninger Book], De Boukenkist [a book store], and the magazine Toal en Taiken.
• Meertens Instituut. Meertens Institute with Research of the Dutch language and culture, including regional languages.

• WoordWaark. The online dictionary for Gronings
• Klunderloa. The digital learning materials for primary education
• Levende Talen Nedersaksisch.Materials for Gronings for primary education.
• MOOC Gronings Beginner course Gronings.
• Electronische Woordenbank van de Nederlandse Dialecten (eWND). An electronical word data base of the Dutch dialects