The Bildts language is still used by approx. 6.000 people, most of them living in the municipality het Bildt, which is in the North West of Fryslân. At the moment there is a group of approx. 20 people voluntarily working on and with the Bildts language and history. There is a small museum that shows the history of the region, language and art (approx. 60 professionally working artists are living and working in the municipality).
Due to the fact that the Bildts language has to do with little financial support coming from the municipality and the province of Fryslân a lot of work is done by volunteers. Stichting Ons Bildt publishes books mainly for adults in and about the Bildts language and the municipality, but also has made sure a dictionary was made. This is used as the official spelling of the language.
There is always a lack of books for children. Because making books is too expensive the most popular children’s books in Dutch, Frisian or English are translated into the Bildts language. The translations are glued on top of the original texts, this enabling to make a small number of copies for primary schools. This way each year a number of books is translated for use.
There is also every two years a book of the Afûk “Tomke” series (for children of 2-4 years old), translated in several language, translated in the Bildts language.
Teachers often come from outside the municipality and are hesitant to use the language in class during Bildts lessons, simply because they do not know (correctly) how to speak, read and write the language. Therefore grandfathers and grandmothers are asked to come to the schools and read from the storybooks to the children or support the teacher in class.
Beside the materials made, also articles of the local paper in the Bildts language are used for the lessons.
JARDUNBIDEA
Stichting Ons Bildt
HIZKUNTZA
Frisiera
ERAGIN ESPARRUA
Education