Valonština v Belgii

Abstract

Walloon is a Romance language, closely related to French. The two languages have existed in close proximity for centuries and have influenced one another. Especially since the beginning of the 20th century, Walloon has been oppressed by the more dominant language. That is one of the reasons why it is gradually dying out. This article describes Walloon and its evolution, characteristics of the language, its literature, and current activities promoting its survival. Research work undertaken in this area is also presented, with particular reference to investigations accomplished in 2011/2012 by means of the questionnaire method. The questionnaire focused on Walloon interlocutors, on the Walloon background, generational transmission, presence of the language in the respondents’ everyday life, on their attitude to the language and the mutual interference of Walloon and French. The findings of the research work confirm the following hypotheses. Walloon is spoken most frequently by older men living in the countryside. The language is not transmitted from generation to generation. These facts are common to the majority of regional languages.