Frisian Alphabet

The Frisian alphabet contains 26 letters, from A to Z, the same as English. However, Frisian also uses the IJ digraph, which is sometimes treated as a single letter in alphabetization.

The IJ (or ij) is a unique feature of Frisian:

• It's often written as a ligature (ij or IJ)

• When capitalizing, both letters become capital: IJsselmeer

• It's pronounced like "ay" in English

• Found in common words like "wij" (we) and "fijn" (nice)

Yes, but mainly in loanwords and names:

• é, è, ë - as in "café" or "geëerd"

• ï - indicates separate pronunciation, like "reünie"

• The diaeresis (¨) is most common

• Used to prevent vowel combinations from becoming diphthongs

Frisian has several distinctive sounds:

• The guttural "g" - like clearing your throat

• "ui" sound - unique to Frisian, no English equivalent

• The "w" is between English "w" and "v"

• "r" can be rolled or guttural depending on region

Frisian is spoken in Friesland, Netherlands:

• Friesland province - approximately 470,000 speakers

• Official language in Friesland province of the Netherlands

• Most closely related West Germanic language to English

About 470,000 people speak Frisian as their native language!

Frisian is a West Germanic language, closely related to both:

• More similar to English in vocabulary - many cognates

• Similar grammar to German - but simpler case system

• English speakers can recognize words like "water", "appel", "boek"

• Often called "the bridge between English and German"