Elsassisch
Strategically located between two rival nations, the Alsace has been a bone of contention since German confederation. German nationalists claim the Alsace on the strength of their presumption that Elsassisch is a dialect of German. The French maintain that since the Alsace is on their side of the Rhine, it is rightfully theirs. The Alsatian people have suffered grievously at the hands of both, and today most simply wish to be left in peace by whoever's in charge this week.
Popular assumptions aside, Elsassisch is not a corruption of Standard German. In reality, it's a separate tradition that sprang independently from local tribal languages and evolved simultaneously with Standard German. Like close relatives Schwäbsch and Schwyzertüütsch, Elsassisch is subordinate to no existing language. However, speakers usually fall back on Standard German when writing. Spoken Elsassisch is highly dialectic, changing from village to village, which may explain Alsatians' willingness to accept a foreign written standard
For a language that commands little government support, Elsassisch boasts enviable Internet presence. La Bibliothèque alsatique's page reveals an extensive collection going back to the Middle Ages, and L'Université Populaire d'Obernai offers an attractive Alsatian Studies programme. Informal resources include Verdammi's online Elsassisch course and Jean-Luc Ripp's very complete home page, with grammar and pronunciation hints, an introduction to Alsatian profanity, and an extensive proverb catalogue.
Francique Languages
Asked if their native Francique tradition is a language, dialect, or patois, France's Platt speakers just shrug. As much as anything else, this casual attitude distinguishes them from their francophone neighbours. Platt, spoken in the Moselle Valley, is similar to Lëtzebuergesch (Luxembourgian) and, like all Francique traditions, is a direct descendant of Charlemagne's Frankish language. Today, Francique speakers everywhere are finding common cause, with provocative results.
Only Luxembourg has a stable Francique-speaking majority. Luxembourg's linguistic landscape is complex: officially francophone, the duchy also immerses all students in Standard German. Thus, most Luxemburgers are fluent in three languages. Oddly, many are barely literate in their native tongue; until recently, Lëtzebuergesch seldom entered schools. Now many Luxemburgers are out to change that.
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