Frisian & the Charter Alex RIEMERSMA Gdansk, 12 September 2008 Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning

www.mercator-research.eu

Overview     Frisian language command & position Charter as stimulus 1-5 Frisian in Charter: education Strengthening legal position

Frisian in the Netherlands  West-Germanic language, related to English and German  Related to North-Frisian and Sater-Frisian in Germany

Frisian language        Ik haw west - I have been

Ik ben geweest – Ich bin gewesen

Tsiis – cheese

Kaas Käse

Tsjerke – church

Kerk – Kirche

Twa skiep – two sheep

Frisian language command  54 % Mothertongue     94 % Understanding 74 % Speaking 65 % Reading 26 % Writing

Legal position      No article in Constitution No Frisian Language Act Patchwork of Legal provisions Framework Convention (2005) European Charter RMLs (1996): 48 undertakings from part III

Charter as stimulus - 1  1992: Netherlands among the first 12 to  sign the Charter 1996: Netherlands among the first 5 to   ratify; 48 undertakings from part III 1998: Charter into force 1998: Consulting Body – art. 7.4: “convey needs and wishes”

Charter as stimulus - 2  Common responsibility of national and    regional authorities Periodical reports (every 3 years) Committee of experts: on the spot visits Recommendations of the Council of Europe to national government

Charter as stimulus - 3   Key words: “protect & promote” Programmatic approach: - implementation - improvement  - additional signature of undertakings NGO & Public debate in European perspective

Charter as stimulus - 4   National government = Treaty partner National government to hold obligations, also in case of devolvement / delegation  of authority to regional level National language policy

Charter as stimulus - 5  Upgrading of recognition of Lower Saxon in the Netherlands:  * from part II > part III Lower German in some “Länder” in Germany in part II (general objectives) + a few undertakings from part III

Frisian in media  Radio: 6.00 – 23.00 hrs   TV: 2 hours with re-run 1994, 1 hour ‘regional’ broadcasting ‘full programme’ by 2011  No newspapers

Frisian in education  Primary school and secondary education: obligatory subject,    optional use medium of instruction No prescribed time Weak in teacher training Weak position in inspection

Frisian in the European Charter   Article 8b ii – primary education “substantial part of lessons” evaluation by Comex: not fulfilled; Comex urges the Dutch government … Article 8c iii – secondary education “integral part of curriculum” evaluation by Comex: not fulfilled; Comex urges the Dutch government …

Trilingual schooling  Grades 1-6:  50% Dutch; 50%Frisian Grades 7-8:  40% Dutch; 40% Frisian; 20% English Developments towards: “Early English” & Trilingual secondary education

Actions towards legislation   Pressure in public debate on: Strengthening legislation for Frisian in education:   time, longitudinality & quality Umbrella language act for Frisian Frisian in Netherlands’ constitution

Köszönöm Tankewol

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Eskerrik asko

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Grazia

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Mercé plan

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Dankscheen

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Graciis

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Kiitos

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Diolch

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Dz'akuju so

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Hvala

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Trugarez

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Thank you

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Multumesc

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Mange Takk

Mercator Report on Minimum  Standards on education in RMLs On request of the Congress of Local  and Regional Authorities (CLRAE) Recommendations to the Council of Ministers of the Council of Europe

CEFR & RMLs  Council of Europe: Common European Framework of  Reference (2001) Instrument for the comparative description of language command

Themes of analysis       Educational goals & models Time spent Teaching materials Teacher training Inspectorate Legal position

Challenges for teacher training       Quality & quantity Special training for multilingual situations More education aimed at multilingualism Stress on proficiency in more languages CEFR to be linked to core goals Certificates & Diploms!

CEFR – further developments  European Language Portfolio =    Documentation on individual level Dialang: language tests PISA Result: common minimum standards