Multilingualism in Luxembourg
Encyclopedia
Multilingualism
is a part of everyday life for the population of Luxembourg
.
The use of languages for legal and administrative purposes is regulated by a law promulgated in 1984, including the following provisions:
In many other multilingual countries, such as Belgium
, Switzerland
or Canada
, the distribution of the languages is geographic, but in Luxembourg it is functional—that is, the choice of language depends on the situation.
At school, all students are taught in all three official languages, although divided by age group and subject matter. At primary school, the course is in German and explanations are often given in Luxembourgish. At secondary school
, it depends on what level the students are in. In the more difficult level, until the 9th class, every subject is in German, except mathematics. From the 10th to the 13th class, the course is mostly in French, but throughout the whole secondary school, explanations are often given in Luxembourgish. In the easier level, every subject is in German, except mathematics. At the commerce and administrative division, most subjects are in French from the 10th until the 13th class. Explanations are often given in Luxembourgish.
In the Chamber of Deputies
, the language used is Luxembourgish, but sometimes also French (e.g., when laws are cited).
In the press, articles are mostly written in German, sometimes also in French. On TV and on the radio, Luxembourgish is mainly used.
Generally, in everyday life, when talking to a foreigner, French is usually used because most foreigners working in Luxembourg do not learn Luxembourgish.
Multilingualism
Multilingualism is the act of using, or promoting the use of, multiple languages, either by an individual speaker or by a community of speakers. Multilingual speakers outnumber monolingual speakers in the world's population. Multilingualism is becoming a social phenomenon governed by the needs of...
is a part of everyday life for the population of Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
.
The use of languages for legal and administrative purposes is regulated by a law promulgated in 1984, including the following provisions:
In many other multilingual countries, such as Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
or Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the distribution of the languages is geographic, but in Luxembourg it is functional—that is, the choice of language depends on the situation.
At school, all students are taught in all three official languages, although divided by age group and subject matter. At primary school, the course is in German and explanations are often given in Luxembourgish. At secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
, it depends on what level the students are in. In the more difficult level, until the 9th class, every subject is in German, except mathematics. From the 10th to the 13th class, the course is mostly in French, but throughout the whole secondary school, explanations are often given in Luxembourgish. In the easier level, every subject is in German, except mathematics. At the commerce and administrative division, most subjects are in French from the 10th until the 13th class. Explanations are often given in Luxembourgish.
In the Chamber of Deputies
Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg
The Chamber of Deputies , abbreviated to the Chamber, is the unicameral national legislature of Luxembourg. 'Krautmaart' is sometimes used as a metonym for the Chamber, after the square on which the Hôtel de la Chambre is located....
, the language used is Luxembourgish, but sometimes also French (e.g., when laws are cited).
In the press, articles are mostly written in German, sometimes also in French. On TV and on the radio, Luxembourgish is mainly used.
Generally, in everyday life, when talking to a foreigner, French is usually used because most foreigners working in Luxembourg do not learn Luxembourgish.