Kirchröadsjer dieksiejoneer
The Kerkrade dialect
The Kerkrade dialect is still fairly commonly spoken in all walks of life. The Kerkraad dialect belongs to the Ripuarian-Frankish dialect just like the dialects from Simpelveld and Vaals. The name Ripuarian is derived from the Latin word "ripa" meaning bank. In this case, the right bank of the Rhine is meant. The Romans called the Frankish tribes who lived on the Mittelrhein and its immediate surroundings "Ripuarians.
In order to record the dialect at some point in time so that it would be preserved for posterity and to counteract flattening, collection of material began in 1957. This eventually resulted in the publication of a Kerkrade words book, the "Kirchröadsjer Dieksiejoneer.
That the Kerkrade dialect is still alive and kicking is proven by its use in song lyrics, books, poems, stories and plays, etc. The Kerkrade dialect is inseparable from carnival. There are several associations involved in keeping Kerkrade dialect alive in all its forms such as the "Dialekverain Kirchröadsjer Plat" and "Dialekverain d'r Wauwel".
The initiative to create a Kerkrade dictionary was taken in 1957 by some enthusiasts who had started collecting typical Kerkrade words and expressions for fear of the disappearance of the regional language.
Foundation Kirchröadsjer Dieksiejoneer
On the initiative of mayor Jo Smeets, the publication of such a dictionary gained momentum in mid-1976: the municipality was willing to support the publication of a Kirchröadsjer Dieksiejoneer with manpower and finances, and a number of Dutch and Germanists connected with the schools Sancta Maria, St. Antonius Doctor College and Rolduc gladly provided expert support. On October 7, 1986, the "Foundation Kirchröadsjer Dieksiejoneer" was notarized.
The foundation had a twofold goal: in addition to the compilation and publication of a Kerkrade dictionary, it also promoted the study and proper use of Kerkrade dialect. One year later, the first copy of the Dieksiejoneer rolled off the presses. Without exaggeration, it can be said that the Kirchröadsjer Dieksiejoneer set an example for many similar initiatives elsewhere in the country!
The Kirchröadsjer Dieksiejoneer Foundation decided to dissolve itself at the end of 2009, but would like its legacy not to be lost and once again finds the municipality of Kerkrade on its side. The municipality actively participates in the municipal dialect working group (responsible, among other things, for a new version of the Kirchröadsjer Dieksiejoneer, the Kerkrade dictionary).
D'r Nuie Dieksiejoneer
De gemeente is blij en trots dat inmiddels d’r Nuie Dieksiejoneer beschikbaar is. Het is een dikke, verder uitgewerkte versie van de originele Dieksiejoneer uit de jaren ’80. Een groot succes voor de Werkgroep Dialect van de gemeente Kerkrade, want inmiddels is de derde druk verschenen. Een compleet nieuwe en herziene uitgave met veel tekeningen, uitdrukkingen, liedjes en een volledige grammatica. D'r Nuie Dieksiejoneer is verkrijgbaar aan de balie van het stadskantoor en in diverse boekhandels in Kerkrade.
De werkgroep ging verder met zijn werk voor het behoud van het Kerkraads. Want ook de Woordenlijst Nederlands-Kerkraads had onderhoud nodig. En dat is gelukt!
Inmiddels is ook de Dieksiejoneer Nederlands-Kerkraads verschenen. Deze woordenlijst is de tegenhanger van de succesvolle Nuie Kirchröadsjer Dieksiejoneer. Voor iedereen die in het dialect wil schrijven is het waardevol om vanuit het Nederlands het Kerkraads te leren. Met de verschijning van dit boek is het mogelijk goed Kerkraads te leren schrijven.
Digital spell checker
Also included with d'r Nuie Dieksiejoneer is a glossary that you can add to the spell checker on your computer. This will check the spelling of Kerkrade words as you type. You can download the glossary and installation instructions at the bottom of this page.
Also check out the Kirchröadsjer Zagenswies