Extra euros for Frisian language studies at university after concerns about ‘weakening’ of education

taketonews

Outgoing Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf (Education, Culture and Science, D66) is making 340,000 euros structurally available for university education on the Frisian language. With this amount he implements an amendment by MPs Habtamu de Hoop (PvdA) and Aant Jelle Soepboer (NSC), who had called for this earlier this month. Dijkgraaf writes on Wednesday in response to parliamentary questions agree with them that the national government can play a greater role in strengthening academic education and research in the language.

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Secure the Frisian language with a university study of Frisian, the KNAW advises

<strong>Exterior of the University of Groningen</strong> with the text in Latin in the coat of arms <em>Verbum Domini lucerna pedibus nostris</em> (‘The word of the Lord is a lamp to our feet’) and some Frisian pompeblêden.” class=”dmt-article-suggestion__image” src=”https://images.nrc.nl/9VEu3KcSljgQTd14u6hd7uaOJqo=/160×96/smart/filters:no_upscale()/s3/static.nrc.nl/images/gn4/stripped/data110029524-fcad12.jpg”/></p><p>While in the 1970s several universities had an independent bachelor’s degree program in Frisian, today there is none anymore. At the University of Groningen, the study is part of the broad bachelor’s program Minorities & Multilingualism. At the beginning of January, the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences recommended re-establishing an independent Frisian course, which should contribute to the preservation of knowledge about the language. The council is concerned about the “weakening” of education and research in Frisian and pointed out that it is an official national language, which is protected as a minority language by European treaties.</p><p>Dijkgraaf says he endorses the advice, but cannot impose on universities that they must offer the Frisian language in an independent course. This is because educational institutions are responsible for their own offerings. However, he will investigate the possibilities for a Frisian course with the University of Groningen, the Ministry of the Interior and the province of Friesland.</p><p><dmt-util-bar article=


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