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The Frisian and Scots Connection

The Fryske Akademy (Frisian Academy) in conjunction with the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, is to hold an international conference, at London University, which will address minority language issues as its theme. The conference will be held during 16-17 April 2009 and is entitled ‘Multilingualism, Regional and Minority Languages: Paradigms for ‘Languages of the Wider World’. The general theme of the conference will be the transmission of minority languages and the right to use a mother tongue as well as learn second and third languages – opportunities often absent in practice. Conference papers are now invited which address the following themes: language transmission outside school, multilingual education, new technologies in teaching and learning languages, and the social benefits and costs of multilingualism. Abstracts of 250 words should be sent by 5pm on 23 January 2009 to lww-cetl@soas.ac.uk and enquiries may be directed to James Grindrod at j.grindrod@soas.ac.uk


The Fryske or Frisian language has a special significance for Scots speakers as Frisian, English and Scots all derive from a common origin. It is often stated that Frisian is the West Germanic language most closely related to English, though, in fact, it is Scots that is the West Germanic language most closely related to English. Few studies have been made of the relationship between Frisian and Scots (researchers concentrating on English only) though both have much in common linguistically and historically. As well as belonging to the same language group, both language communities came under the increasing influence (and political control) of neighbouring languages. By the end of the 16th century Frisian had come under Dutch control and Scots came to be influenced by English. The Fryske Akademy was founded in 1938 as a centre for research and in order to promote education in the Frisian language and culture. It serves as a model for what might also be possible for the Scots language community. For more about the academy please follow this link: www.fryske-akademy.nl