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Old Frisian

Old Frisian is a medieval West Germanic language known largely from legal texts and documents. It’s particularly interesting for comparing early Germanic languages and the history of the North Sea cultural zone.

Dictionaries

• Frisian Dictionaries

  • Format: TXT
  • Notes: Various text files, with various modern languages as well.

• Frisian Lemma List

  • Notes: Click “search” on the left side to start; enter a word, and then click “Betsjutting” at the bottom for the meaning (in Dutch), or “Kwic” for a list of places that the word appears.

• Glossary of Frisian-English

  • Format: PDF
  • Notes: A part of an older book in PDF form.

• West Frisian Phrasebook

  • Notes: For traveling back in time, and for going to places where they speak Frisian today.

• West Frisian Wordlist

  • Notes: About 200 words.

• Frisian Wörterbuch

  • Notes: An older dictionary, written in German.

• Ostfriesisches Wörterbuch

  • Notes: Also very old, and also in German.

• An attempt at a Frisian-Dutch dictionary

  • Notes: Just an attempt, mind you! You’ll need to know Dutch.

• Glossarium der friesischen Sprache

  • Format: PDF
  • Notes: Also written in German, a freely available PDF.

• Altfriesischen Wörterbuch

  • Notes: Might be even older, but still written in German.

Grammars

• West Frisian Grammar

  • Format: PDF
  • Notes: An older book, but covers many different topics.

• Phonology and Grammar of West Frisian

  • Notes: Another link to the same book above—probably the best bet for English speakers.

• Grammar course in Frisian

  • Notes: Various lessons and vocabulary—probably shouldn’t be your first ancient language, though. Choose the language you want from the middle section.

• Taalportal Frisian Linguistics

  • Notes: This site appears to be under active development—grammar topics on the left side.

• Frisian grammar notes

  • Notes: To accompany the lessons above; availalbe in other languages as well.

• West Frisian Phonology

  • Notes: A useful set of tables and instructions.

• West Frisian Grammar on Wikipedia

  • Notes: A helpful introduction.

• Grammar of North Frisian

  • Notes: Written in German as well.

• Frisische Sprachlehre

  • Notes: Lessons in German, from a very old book.

• Altfriesisches Lesebuch mit Grammatik und Glossar

  • Notes: In German, unfortunately.

• West Frisian Number Rules

  • Notes: For counting in Frisian!

Charts & Aids

(Nothing here)

Texts

• Integrated Frisian Language Database

  • Notes: Click “search” on the left side, then enter a word and click “Kwic” at the bottom of the pop-up. You’ll then see a list of places where that word occurs.

• Codex Unia

  • Notes: Viewable in various parts.

• Titus Frisian Corpus

  • Notes: Select the text you want in the bottom right-hand window.

• Written Frisian examples

  • Notes: The Lord’s prayer, and a few other things, with audio.

• Altfriesisches Lesebuch

  • Notes: That means it’s a Frisian reader!

• Thet Freske Riim

  • Notes: A very old Frisian poem

• Frisian Texts

  • Notes: Not for the beginner, this one.

• Bible in Frisian

  • Format: PDF
  • Notes: In a nice (modern) PDF file.

• Gospel of Matthew in Frisian

  • Format: PDF
  • Notes: From a book in PDF form.

• Twitter accounts in Frisian

  • Notes: Useful for picking up the vernacular, I guess?

Other Resources

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