More and more people in Friesland can not only speak the Frisian language fluently, they can now also read and write it well. Frisian is on the rise, especially among young people, partly thanks to the massive use of the language on social media and in apps.
The fact that the Frisian language is making a remarkable advance is evident from a large-scale survey of the province in which more than 10,000 residents participated. While in 2007 less than half of Frisians indicated that they could decipher Frisian script well or very well, that number has now reached 58 percent. Writing skills have also made a significant leap: the percentage of residents who can write Frisian very well on paper has almost doubled in recent years from just under 10 to around 19 percent.
The researchers see a striking leading role for young people. Frisians in particular between the ages of 18 and 29 indicate significantly more often that they can read the regional language well. The explanation for this is simple: because young people use the language extensively on social media, they unconsciously practice reading and writing every day.
85 percent of Frisians understand the language
In addition to this online revival, Frisian is still rock solid in everyday life. No fewer than 85 percent of the residents can understand the language well, and more than two-thirds speak it fluently. In fact, almost all residents of the province (95 percent) understand at least reasonably well what is being said when Frisians switch to their native language.
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