South Jutlandic | |
---|---|
Synnejysk | |
Native to | Denmark |
Region | Southern Jutland, to be more precise in Northern Schleswig (Denmark) and Southern Schleswig (Germany). |
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 | – |
Glottolog | None |
South Jutlandic or South Jutish (South Jutish: Synnejysk; Danish: Sønderjysk; German: Südjütisch or Plattdänisch) is a dialect of the Danish language. South Jutlandic is spoken in Southern Jutland (Sønderjylland) (also called Schleswig or Slesvig) on both sides of the border between Denmark and Germany.
Variants of the dialect include Western and Eastern South Jutlandic (including Alsisk). The former variant in Angeln and Schwansen was known as Angel Danish.
The other dialects classified as belonging to the Jutlandic or Jutish (Jysk) group of dialects are West, East, and North Jutlandic.
Many older people will still speak a distinct South Jutlandic dialect, both in towns and rural areas. Younger people and children are more likely to use a dialect-tinted version of Standard Danish, but everything ranging from relatively pure dialect to Standard Danish can be found. Many are able to switch between both varieties.
A renewed popular interest in preserving the South Jutlandic dialect has been seen in recent years. This revival has been fuelled by the works of several local artists and authors as well as Æ Synnejysk Forening, a society working for the promotion of the dialect.
Several schools now offer the dialect as an optional subject, although Rigsdansk, the official Danish, remains a major, compulsory subject.
Members of the South Jutlandic speaking minority on the German side of the border tend to emphasize their South Jutlandic identity. Many members of this minority are in one way or another connected with agriculture, the dialect being more prevalent in rural communities. The German minority usually speak South Jutlandic with each other and with Danish-minded people alike, but prefer German for writing and official occasions such as meetings. Standard Danish is mastered as well, being taught in schools along with Standard German.
South Jutlandic is still spoken to some degree in villages up to about 15 km south of the Danish-German border, but hardly in the major city of Flensburg, where the Danish speakers speak Standard Danish. Most people will be able to speak or understand Low German and sometimes Frisian. All will know High German, often being the only language of young people and children. Members of the Danish minority are taught Standard Danish as well in schools, but often choose to communicate in German in everyday life.