BÛTER, BREA EN GRIENE TSIIS.
LEARN MORE ABOUT FRISIAN.
Learn more about the Frisian language and discover what it means to be a true Frisian. The pronunciation "Bûter, brea en griene tsiis" (butter, bread and green cheese) is inextricably linked to the Frisian identity and culture. Because whoever can't pronounce that properly is 'gjin oprjochte fries'.
WESTERLAUWERS FRISIAN
Frisian, also known as Westerlauwers Frisian, is a language with a rich history. We would like to tell you more about the origins of the language, the regions where it is spoken, the Kleifries dialect and the iconic saying of Grutte Pier.
In our holiday home in Friesland we have hung many plates and tiles with Frisian expressions. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Friesland.
ORIGIN
Frisian is a Germanic language closely related to English and Low German. The roots of Frisian go back well before the Middle Ages, with early texts dating back to the 8th century. These texts, such as the oldest fragments of Old Frisian in the Codex Roorda, show the early development of the language and its place in regional culture.
AREA
In its heyday, Frisian was spoken across a much larger area than just the current province of Friesland. It covered parts of what is now the Netherlands, Germany and even Denmark. Today, Frisian is recognized as an official language in the Netherlands and enjoys government protection and support. In addition to Friesland, the language is also spoken in parts of Groningen and in some Frisian and Groningen islands.
An interesting aspect of Frisian is the existence of different dialects, including Kleifries. This dialect is spoken, among other places, in the Greidhoeke region, a fertile agricultural area in the southwest of Friesland. Kleifries shows some differences in pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar compared to Standard Frisian, but remains clearly recognizable as part of the Frisian language family.
CLAY FRIES
GRUTTE PIER
One of the most famous expressions in Frisian is inextricably linked to the legendary figure Grutte Pier: "Bûter, brea en griene tsiis; wa't dat net sizze kin, is giin oprjochte Frisian." This saying, which can be translated as "Butter, bread and green cheese; anyone who cannot say that is not a true Frisian" was reportedly uttered by the Frisian leader Grutte Pier during the war between Friesland and the Duke of Saxony, and probably also during conflicts with Holland to determine whether someone was really Frisian.
