20+ Interesting Facts About Languages In Belgium
- The three official languages in Belgium are Dutch, French and German.
- French is the official language of Wallonia in southern Belgium. According to the 2024 Eurobarometer, French is the mother tongue of 36% of the population.
- Belgian French uses words which are not used in French from France, here are some examples: 70 and 90 are septante and nonante instead of soixante-dix and quatre-vingt-dix.
- Dutch is the official language of Flanders in northern Belgium. According to the 2024 Eurobarometer, Dutch is the mother tongue of 50% of the population.
- German is the official language of the German-speaking community in eastern Belgium. German speakers represent less than 1% of the population of Belgium.
- Both French and Dutch are the official languages of the region of Brussels.
- Flemish is the variant of Dutch spoken in Flanders.
- Tussentaal is a colloquial form of Flemish (Dutch) spoken in Flanders. It mixes local varieties of Flemish with the standard form of the language.
- Luxembourgish, a Germanic language, has historically been spoken in Arlon in Wallonia which borders the country of Luxembourg. Here are a few words you should know: moien (hello), äddi (goodbye), jo (yes), nee (no)
- Walloon, an Oïl language (same family as French), is the traditional Romance language spoken in the region of Wallonia. Here are a few words you should know: bondjoû (hello), årvey (goodbye), oyi (yes), nèni (no).
- Limburgish is a regional Germanic language spoken in northeastern Belgium.
- Champenois is the traditional Romance language of several towns in the province of Namur in Southern Belgium.
- Lorrain is the traditional Romance language of Gaume in Wallonia, Belgium.
- Picard is the traditional Romance language of Picardy Wallonia in Southern Belgium. Here are a few words you should know: bojour (hello), à l'arvoïure (goodbye), oui (yes), non (no).
- Historically, Brussels, the capital of Belgium, was a Dutch-speaking but now is predominantly a French-speaking city.
- According to the 2024 Eurobarometer, 58% of Belgians can have a conversation in English.
- According to the 2024 Eurobarometer, 9% of Belgians can have a conversation in Spanish.
- According to the 2024 Eurobarometer, 1% of Belgians declared Italian to be their native language.
- Belgium has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest with songs in French, Dutch, English and imaginary languages.
- Belgium's only win at the Eurovision Song Contest has been in the French language. Belgium won in 1986 with Sandra Kim and her hit song "J'aime la vie".
- Belgium has entered the Eurovision Song Contest with entries in imaginary languages on two occasions. The first time was in 2003 with "Sanomi" by Urban Trad where Belgium finished in 2nd position. Secondly, in 2008 with Ishtar and "O Julissi" which did not qualify for the final.
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