Between tradition and change: the reality of the Luxembourg language

Is it now called « Ech Ginn Op d’LoS » or « Ech Ginn Op de Strand »? Do you use the « printer » or the « impimant » in Luxembourg? Can you also say « Moies at the breakfast » instead of « Moies at Kaffi »? In fact, both variants are correct in these examples. Because the Luxembourg language is changing.

« And a language that is changing is a living language, » explains Alex Gillander from the Zenter Fir d’lëtzebuerger Sprrooch (ZLS) when he leads the « Luxemburger Word » through the exhibition « D’Lëtzebuerger Sprrooch (s) ».

Again and again terms from other languages ​​- especially from German, French and now also from English – find their way to Luxembourg. « This is also language change. »

The hiking exhibition of the ZLS, which was first seen in 2023, has already had a few stations. Your current location, the 29th station, is located in the heart of Luxembourg city and is free of charge there until July 30th. A detour, be it with a school class or private, is therefore ideal.

Explore the language playfully

An exhibition on language – that may sound a bit daunting for many. But « D’Lëtzebuerger Sprrooch (s) » is not a dry show, in which visiting is only bombarded with information about history, change, phonetics and orthography of the Luxembourgian.

On the contrary: In the form of quizzes, games and a gap text, you can discover the Luxembourg language here and put your own knowledge to the test. Most of it works based on QR codes that are scanned with the smartphone. Will someone succeed in allocating all dialects that are played in a video with sound? Because not everyone knows how to speak in Vianden, for example.

The exhibition is not only suitable for language lovers and die -hard Luxembourg. Young people can also enjoy it. You should only master a minimal basis for Luxembourgisch so that you can really benefit from the show.

Multilingualism and use of the Luxembourg

Nevertheless, all explanations – yes, there is some story about the Luxembourg language – are shown in four different languages. This not only reaches more people, but also reflects reality in Luxembourg: multilingualism.

A topic that is also taken up in the exhibition and, according to Alex Gillander, is happy to start guided tours. As the linguist studied explains, it is difficult for many residents of Luxembourg and for visitors to the exhibition difficult to say what their main language (not necessarily the mother tongue) is. Since most of the several languages ​​dominate and use them depending on the context and situation.

« This exhibition is not about saying, it is and that’s not the case, » emphasizes Gillander. Rather, the goal is to map the language landscape in the Grand Duchy and to show how the Luxembourg language is used. The fact is that the written use of Luxembourgish is much stronger today than several decades ago. Which is because many Luxembourgers write SMS in Luxembourgian or communicate on social media.

Clearly and clearly structured

This also takes up the hiking exhibition and gives examples that show how present is the Luxembourg language in the various media – books, podcasts, films, series. However, the title « D’lëtzebuerger Sprrooch (s) » already points out that there is no Luxembourg language.

And if you are more interested in the historical part, you are not neglected: the most important facts, for example when Luxembourg was officially mentioned – that was in 1984 – or since when has been in primary school – since 1912 – are also mentioned.

Clearly and the most important thing at a glance – the hiking exhibition « D’Lëtzebuerger Sprrooch (s) » can be described. In addition, everything is shown in very bright colors. Because as Alex Gillander would say: « Living colors for a lively language. »