Limburgish

Limburgish is a language spoken in the southernmost province of the Netherlands, as well as in the adjacent areas of Belgium and Germany. It is a member of the Germanic branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Limburgish has a complex history, with a number of different dialects spoken in different parts of the region. The language is often considered to be a dialect of Dutch, but it is not mutually intelligible with standard Dutch. There is no single standard for Limburgish, and the various dialects are often not mutually intelligible. However, a common written standard is used for educational and administrative purposes. Limburgish is spoken by about 1.5 million people. It is an official language of the Netherlands, and is also recognized as a regional language in Belgium and Germany. Limburgish has a rich literary tradition, and is the only Germanic language with its own anthem. The language is also used in a number of radio and television programs, as well as in some schools in the region.