During the spirited debate, adr MP Fred Keup presented arguments based on the aforementioned STATEC study, which dates back to 2021. According to Keup, the study highlighted a concerning trend, indicating a decline in the number of individuals citing Luxembourgish as their primary language for daily communication. Keup pointed to statistics suggesting a decrease from approximately 323,000 in 2011 to 292,000 in 2021, raising concerns about the language’s diminishing presence in various spheres of everyday life, including commerce, healthcare, and the workplace.
However, a closer examination of the STATEC findings reveals a more nuanced picture. While the percentage of individuals identifying Luxembourgish as their primary language experienced a modest decline of 7%, falling just below 49%, the absolute number of native Luxembourgish speakers actually increased by 10,000 between 2011 and 2021. This growth is particularly noteworthy considering the influx of 130,000 new residents to the country over the same period, many of whom bring different first languages. Additionally, there is a notable interest among newcomers in participating in the numerous Luxembourgish language courses.
The vast majority of MPs, spanning the political spectrum from the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) to the Left Party (déi Lénk), accused the adr of cherry-picking data from the study to fit their narrative. Minister of Culture Eric Thill of the Democratic Party (DP) remarked, “It made me think of a juggler throwing a single ball through the air. That certainly makes juggling easier, but it’s not real juggling.”
It is worth mentioning that Fred Keup is co-author of a book on the Luxembourgish language – published in German.
MP Françoise Kemp of the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) echoed sentiments rejecting the notion of Luxembourgish language extinction, highlighting its constitutional status alongside multilingualism. This legal recognition ensures the language’s protection within Luxembourg’s framework.
Former Minister of Culture Sam Tanson and current MP of the Green Party (déi Gréng), expanded on Luxembourgish cultural vitality, noting its prevalence in various forms of media and entertainment: “Both the film of the year and the book of the year were in Luxembourgish. Luxembourgish is also developing in writing on WhatsApp, for example. And you can play Minecraft in Luxembourgish.”
MP Liz Braz from the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP), advocated for a balanced and open-minded approach to language development: “You can’t force language. In the same way, you shouldn’t use language as an argument to spread unfounded fears about the extinction of Luxembourgers and thus sow subliminal xenophobia in political discourse.”
MP Marc Baum, representing the Left Party, stressed that even those who may not primarily use Luxembourgish at home or in the workplace are often still able to speak the language.
As the debate drew to a close, adr MP Fred Keup welcomed the Chamber of Deputies’ commitment to preserving the Luxembourgish language.
Full report by RTL Télé (in Luxembourgish)
