Low German

Low German, also called Plattdeutsch, is a regional language spoken mainly in northern Germany and parts of the Netherlands. It evolved from old German dialects and has distinctive pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, making it different from standard High German. Historically, Low German was used in daily life, trade, and literature, but its usage has declined with the dominance of Hochdeutsch (standard German). Today, Low German is recognized as a regional language and is valued for cultural heritage, with efforts to preserve and promote its use among communities and educators.