Frisian

Fri·sian

F0331400 (frĭzh′ən, frē′zhən) also Frie·sian (frē′zhən)n.1. A native or inhabitant of the Frisian Islands or Friesland.2. The West Germanic language of the Frisians. It is the language most closely related to English.

[From Latin Frīsiī, the Frisians, of Germanic origin.]

Fri′sian adj.

Frisian

(ˈfrɪʒən) or

Friesian

n1. (Languages) a language spoken in the NW Netherlands, parts of N Germany, and adjacent islands, belonging to the West Germanic branch of the Indo-European family: the nearest relative of the English language; it has three main dialects2. (Peoples) a native or inhabitant of Friesland or a speaker of the Frisian language3. (Languages) a native or inhabitant of Friesland or a speaker of the Frisian languageadj4. (Languages) of or relating to the Frisian language or its speakers5. (Peoples) of or relating to the Frisian language or its speakers6. (Placename) of or relating to Friesland or its peoples and culture7. (Languages) of or relating to Friesland or its peoples and culture8. (Peoples) of or relating to Friesland or its peoples and culture[C16: from Latin Frīsiī people of northern Germany]

Fri•sian

(ˈfrɪʒ ən, ˈfri ʒən)

also Friesian

n. 1. a member of a people of the North Sea coast. 2. the West Germanic language of the Frisians. adj. 3. of or pertaining to Friesland, the Frisians, or the language Frisian. [1590–1600; < Latin Frisi(ī) the people of a Germanic tribe]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	Frisian - a native or inhabitant of Friesland or FrisiaDutch, Dutch people - the people of the Netherlands; "the Dutch are famous for their tulips"
	2.	Frisian - a West Germanic language spoken in Friesland in the northwestern Netherlands; a near relative of EnglishWest Germanic, West Germanic language - a branch of the Germanic languagesOld Frisian - the Frisian language until the 16th century; the Germanic language of ancient Frisia
Adj.	1.	Frisian - of or relating to the people or culture or language of Friesland or Frisia

Translations

Frisian

, Friesian a language spoken in the NW Netherlands, parts of N Germany, and adjacent islands, belonging to the West Germanic branch of the Indo-European family: the nearest relative of the English language; it has three main dialects

Frisian

the language of the Frisians. Frisian is spoken mainly in the province of Friesland in The Netherlands, which includes the West Frisian Islands of Terschelling and Schiermonnikoog (population, approximately 350,000 people). It is also spoken in the northwestern part of the Federal Republic of Germany, mainly in the Saterland, in the Land of Lower Saxony (approximately 3,000), and the far north, in the Land of Schleswig-Holstein, including the North Frisian Islands and Helgoland (approximately 16,000).

Frisian, a West Germanic language, was once spoken on a vast territory along the North Sea. It includes three dialects: West Frisian (Friesland), East Frisian (Saterland), and North Frisian (Schleswig-Holstein). Urban Frisian, which is commonly spoken in the towns of Friesland, has been significantly influenced by Dutch. Frisian is closely related to Old English.

The phonological system of Frisian is notable for its rich vowel system, which has nasal vowels, 26 diphthongs, and six triphthongs. Nouns have two genders, and the declension system has been virtually lost; the one remaining case, the genitive, is used only to a limited extent. The language has strong and weak verbs, and its tense system is typical of the majority of the Germanic languages.

The first examples of written Frisian date from the 13th century. Since the 16th century, when Friesland lost its independence, Dutch has been used for all official purposes, and Frisian primarily for spoken communication. The most important poet who wrote in Frisian was Gijsbert Japicx (17th century). In recent decades, Frisian has been taught in schools in The Netherlands. The number of books published in Frisian has notably increased, and periodicals in Frisian have appeared.

The Frisian language uses the Latin alphabet.

REFERENCES

Fokkema, K. Beknopte Friese spraakkunst. Groningen-Batavia, 1948.
Sipma, P. Phonology and Grammar of Modern West Frisian. Ljouwert, 1966.
Pietersen, L. De Friezen en hun taal. Drachten, 1969.

V. P. BERKOV

Frisian

Related to Frisian: Frisian Islands, Frisian language

noun

Words related to Frisian

noun a native or inhabitant of Friesland or Frisia

Related Words

Dutch
Dutch people

noun a West Germanic language spoken in Friesland in the northwestern Netherlands

Related Words

West Germanic
West Germanic language
Old Frisian