It's part of the West Germanic branch of the Indo-European family tree.
There are around 275,000 native speakers in Luxembourg, and over 100,000 more who can speak and understand it.
In Luxembourg, Luxembourgish is recognised as the national language, although French is used in all official business. Home speakers live in Belgium (in the Arlon district), in the Bitburg area of Germany, and in Thionville, France
Luxembourgish is written with the Latin alphabet and the additional diacritics ¨, ^, ´ as in ë, ä, ê, é.
There are texts from the 9th century, though this is not clearly defined as Luxembourgish. The first modern example dates from 1824.
In Luxembourg, children study in Luxembourgish at kindergarten level and in German and French at primary level.
Key Phrases
Jo.
Yes.
Neen.
No.
Wëllkomm!
Welcome!
Et freet mëch, lech kennen ze léieren.
Pleased to meet you.
Moiën.
Hello.
Äddi.
Goodbye.
Merci.
Thank you.
Ech heesche ...
My name is ...
Schwätzt Du Englesch?
Do you speak English?
Et deet mer leed, mä ech schwätzen nët Lëtzeburgesch.
I'm sorry, I don't speak Luxembourgish.
Ech brauch Hëllef.
I need help.
Wou as Toilette, wann ech glift?
Where is the toilet, please?
