‘Our German’: The Story of the Luxembourgish Language

How does a “farmer’s dialect” become a national identity?

For centuries, the language of Luxembourg was caught between giants, often dismissed as nothing more than a regional variation of its neighbors. But for the people who spoke it, it was something more: a line in the sand.

Join the Twin Cities Luxembourg American Society for an exploration of the incredible journey of Lëtzebuergesch. In this 45-minute presentation, we’ll trace its path from medieval Germanic roots and French influences to its modern status as the Grand Duchy’s national language.

We will look at the pivotal moments where language and survival met—including the 1941 census where “3x Lëtzebuergesch” became a cry of resistance—and discuss why this linguistic heritage remains the heartbeat of Luxembourgish identity today, both in Europe and here in the Midwest. Presented by Matthew Foster.

And if you can’t make it, a recording will be available afterwards through our site.

This presentation is not a program of Hennepin County Library and use of HCL space does not constitute an endorsement by the library of this program or point of view expressed.