Language

'Lëtzebuergesch' is the everyday spoken language of the people, and the symbol of the Luxembourgers national identity. This former Mosel-Frankish dialect is now recognised as the national language (since 1984), while both French and German remain the official languages. 'Lëtzebuergesch' or Luxembourgish is taught in schools and in language courses mostly addressed to the resident foreigners.

Both the German and French culture meet in Luxembourg. Franco-German bilinguism, without any language differences, is a typical aspect of the country's social structure. If both German and French are used in the press, in political and in religious life, French is nevertheless the official language of the administration, jurisdiction, parliament, education, and of some literary circles. Public offices though are held to answer -wherever possible- in the language they are addressed in. This peculiar language situation is a direct result of the size of the country, and its historic associations with both France and Germany.