Eupen dialect (Öüpener Platt, ) is the dialect spoken in the city Eupen. [stating that the Eupen dialect belongs to , lit. Carolingian Franconian] [stating that the Eupen dialect belongs to , lit. Carolingian Franconian]
Classification The Eupener dialect is part of a dialect continuum between Limburgish and Ripuarian. Klaus-Jürgen Fiacre considers it to be a Low Franconian variety, and therefore closer to the former.
Geographic distribution Today, it is used less than other similar dialects in adjacent municipalities, like the dialects of Welkenraedt, Gemmenich or Montzen east of Eupen. The younger residents of Eupen tend to speak Standard German instead. West of Eupen, Wallonian dialects of French are spoken.
Status As the Eupen dialect is used by the German minority in Belgium, it is considered to be a dialect of German just like Ripuarian in Germany.
Linguistic features One of the characteristics of the Eupen dialect is diphthongization to ; compare Eupen , , and with Dutch Limburgish , , and .
Nouns are always capitalized, following German conventions.
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