Introduction to Luxembourgish

Where can you learn Luxembourgish?

Have we sparked your interest? Would you like to find out more? Here are a few links to online and offline learning resources:

• The National Institute for Languages (INLL) offers a range of courses;
• LLO.lu: digital and free online learning tools;
• Ortho-Trainer: improve your spelling skills;
• Verben.lu: learn how to conjugate Luxembourgish verbs.

These online tools will help you with your writing:

• LOD.lu: translation, conjugation, sign language ... The Lëtzebuerger Online Dictionnaire is an essential resource;
• Spellchecker.lu: with this online tool, you can check your Luxembourgish texts for spelling mistakes;
• LuxASR: text-to-speech tool of the University of Luxembourg;
• Sproochmaschinn: text-to-speechand speech-to-text tool of Zenter fir d'Lëtzebuerger Sprooch (ZLS; Centre for the Luxembourgish Language).

What makes Luxembourgish so special?

Luxembourgish is more than just a dialect – it is a true linguistic treasure! The language is rooted in the Moselle Franconian dialects of western Germany, but it has also absorbed influences from throughout Europe over the years. The result? This has given rise to a richly diverse language that bridges history and modern life.

Luxembourg's eventful past, marked by shifting powers and major waves of migration, has created a unique linguistic mix. Today, Luxembourgish reflects not only the country's cultural openness but also its commitment to a united Europe. Luxembourgish is an official language alongside German and French. But Portuguese, Italian, English and Spanish are also widely spoken, as are languages from Scandinavia and the Balkans.

Luxembourgish is spoken mainly in the Grand Duchy and in the Areler Land (Arlon) region in Belgium. The language also lives on in some former emigrant regions, such as the American Midwest and parts of Romania. And thanks to text messaging, social media and growing integration, Luxembourgish is increasingly evolving into a written language – one that is dynamic, modern and closely linked to everyday life.

Luxembourgish in everyday life – dynamic, flexible, at the heart of things

Today, Luxembourgish is an integral part of daily life – and in many different ways. Around half the population actively speak the language, and although the proportion is declining slightly due to immigration, the absolute number of speakers continues to grow. This shows that Luxembourgish is very much alive and evolving!

How and when the language is used depends largely on the context. Fun fact: young people use Luxembourgish as their main language on social media – creatively, spontaneously and fully in tune with the times. It is also becoming increasingly popular among people who have been living in Luxembourg for some time now.

Although newspapers are mostly published in German, French or English, Luxembourgish is well represented on radio and television. In everyday life, you will often encounter a colourful mix of languages: sometimes people switch mid-sentence (code-switching), and sometimes the context determines whether German, English, French or Luxembourgish is spoken.