Meeting of Low German friends: Do you still speak up Platt?

Meeting of Low German friends: Do you still speak up Platt?

On Tuesday, October 28th, the friends of the Low German language will meet in the Hanseatic Library in Demmin. From 3 p.m., both passionate speakers and those curious are warmly invited to share their enthusiasm for the language. Loud Northern Courier The focus of this meeting is on exchange: over a cup of coffee, favorite and self-selected texts are read out and discussed. There is no set topic, which creates the opportunity for spontaneous conversations and a relaxed atmosphere.

What is particularly exciting is that older generations often speak “up flat” better. For younger people, however, it is often the case that they learn the language from their grandparents in rural areas. This development raises the question of how Low German can be preserved and promoted in today's society. In the cities, many people no longer understand the language, which poses a challenge for the community and the preservation of traditions.

Background and initiatives for language maintenance

The preservation of Low German is not just a topic for regional meetings; The discussion about the future of the language has grown historically. As early as 1834, Ludolf Wienbarg advocated the eradication of the language, but over the years the opinion has changed. Nowadays there is agreement in politics, media and language associations that Low German is an important part of North German culture University of Münster reported.

In Germany, the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, which was signed in 1992, is considered a cornerstone for the protection of Low German. The Council of Europe monitors compliance with the requirements for the promotion of regional languages ​​in public life, which also affects education. In several federal states such as Bremen and Schleswig-Holstein, Low German is actively promoted and schools integrate Low German into their curricula.

Low German in education and society

In total, around 2.5 million people in northern Germany speak Low German, with 16% active and 77% able to understand the language Deutschlandfunk reported. In view of these figures, language care offerings are more important than ever. For example, Greifswald and Flensburg have university courses that specifically focus on Low German.

In addition, the Federal Council for Nedderdüütsch has been committed to the interests of the Low German language community since 2002. Pilot projects were also initiated to establish Low German as a subject in schools. There are now modern approaches to making the language more present again in urban areas, which is of great importance for the future language generation.

Overall, regional meetings like those in Demmin lay the foundation for the lively and cross-generational cultivation of Low German. The commitment of all age groups is required to keep the language alive and to introduce it to younger generations. If you are interested in Low German culture, meeting in the Hanseatic Library is a great opportunity to gain insights and become part of the community.