© Julia Maaluf / RTL
We're getting political in today's lesson, at least from a linguistic perspective because we're teaching you some Luxembourgish lingo to discuss elections!
Hello and wëllkom zeréck for another lesson in lëtzebuergesch!
So far in this series, we've played it safe: We talked about going to the restaurant, how to tell time, holidays, and even about the most mundane topic there is – the weather. But in this lesson, we thought we'd take a step out of our comfort zone and cover a topic that has a reputation for being just a tad bit divisive: politics.
Now, before you click away, just keep in mind that this is series is about language! You won't find any bickering or requests to vote for anyone in today's lesson – all we're interested in is how we might be able to talk about politics in Luxembourgish.
As (almost) always, we also have a brand-new Language Basics for you to check out – this time, we're providing you with an overview of pronouns! Be sure to check it out after the main lesson, if you're interested in picking up some grammar as well.
How To Talk About Elections
In Luxembourg, people vote in three different types of elections: municipal, national / legislative, and European elections. Voting is also compulsory in the Grand Duchy and refusing to vote can (in theory at least) have legal consequences.
The municipal elections take place next year -> Nächst Joer si Gemengewalen
Who are you voting for in the next national / legislative elections? -> Fir wie stëmms du bei den nächste Chamberswalen?
Good to know: When referring to the national elections, Luxembourgers usually talk about the Chamberswalen (named after Luxembourg's parliament the Chambre des Députés or Chamber for short). However, the terms Nationalwalen and Legislativwalen are also used.
European Elections are coming up again in two years. -> An zwee Joer sinn nees Europawalen
He told me he's going to make use of postal vote this year. -> Hien huet mir gesot, datt hien dës Joer Bréifwal mëscht.
Voting is compulsory in Luxembourg. -> Zu Lëtzebuerg gëllt Walflicht.
The polling station is located inside the nursery school. -> De Walbüro ass an der Spillschoul.
How to Talk About General Politics
The government stands by its reform plans. -> D'Regierung hält un hire Reformpläng fest.
The opposition slammed the minister's proposal -> D'Oppositioun huet der Ministesch hir / dem Minister seng Propose schaarf kritiséiert.
The Chamber of Deputies is voting on a new draft bill today. -> D'Chamber stëmmt haut iwwer en neie Gesetzesprojet of
The party's parliamentary group has published a press release regarding the issue. -> D'Fraktioun vun der Partei huet am Zesummenhang mat der Saach ee Communiqué rausginn.
The MP wanted to know more about this and submitted a parliamentary question. -> D'Députéiert / den Deputéierten wollt méi dozou wëssen an huet eng question parlamentaire agereecht.
The municipal council supports the new initiative. -> De Gemengerot ënnerstëzt déi nei Initiative.
She serves both as MP and as mayor. -> Si ass souwuel Députéiert wéi och Buergermeeschtesch.
Good to know: In Luxembourg, it is possible to serve as MP and mayor at the same time. People who hold both offices are often referred to as Député(e)-Maire ("MP-Mayor").
Luxembourg's Political Parties and Their Luxembourgish Names
Déi Gréng -> The Green Party (literally: "The Greens")
Demokratesch Partei (DP) -> Democratic Party
Lëtzebuerger Sozialistesch Aarbechterpartei (LSAP) -> Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party
Alternativ Demokratesch Reformpartei (adr) -> Alternative Democratic Reform Party
Chrëschtlech Sozial Vollékspartei (CSV) -> Christian Social People's Party
Déi Lénk -> The Left Party (literally: "The Lefts", as in "The Leftist People")
D'Piraten -> Pirate Party (literally: "The Pirates")
