Twents

Twente is a region located in the eastern part of the Netherlands, bordering Germany. Known for its beautiful natural landscapes, including rolling hills, forests, and river valleys, Twente is also a region rich in cultural history. The area has a mix of urban centers like Enschede and smaller, picturesque towns that reflect the region’s rural heritage. Twente’s identity is shaped not only by its geography but also by its unique local dialect, which has played a significant role in preserving regional traditions and cultural practices.

The Twente Dialect

The Twente dialect, known as Twents, is a variety of Low Saxon spoken in the eastern part of the Netherlands, particularly in the region of Twente. It belongs to the West Low German family of dialects, which also includes dialects spoken in Germany. Twents has significant differences from standard Dutch, including distinct pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. For instance, Twents often uses the diphthong ei instead of the Dutch ij, and the g sound is pronounced softer compared to the hard g in Dutch. The vocabulary of Twents includes many regional words that do not appear in standard Dutch, often reflecting the area’s agricultural heritage. Although Twents is still spoken by some residents, particularly in rural areas, its use has been declining in favor of standard Dutch, especially among younger generations. Despite this, efforts are being made to keep the dialect alive through cultural initiatives and publications.

Asterix praot plat

The only Asterix album translated into the Twente dialect is Asterix den Galliër (Asterix the Gaul), the first album in the series.