In Germany today, around 3 to 5 million people speak Low German – in Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, as well as in the northern parts of Brandenburg, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia and Saxony-Anhalt. Although the number of active speakers has been declining since the 1950s, this trend is now countered not only by a diverse and vibrant cultural and literary scene, but also – at least since the end of the 19th century – by a broad research interest in the Low German language, its literature and, increasingly, in questions concerning its acquisition and teaching within the education system. However, only a few universities in the north offer students the opportunity to acquire knowledge in all three components of Low German research in equal measure. The aim of the planned summer school is therefore to offer a focused and concise insight into aspects of the Low German language, literature and didactics, whilst at the same time introducing participants to current fields of work and challenges in research and teaching on Low German within the academic landscape of northern Germany.

The summer school is structured around four pillars:

• Practical language exercises
• Teaching modules on the Low German language, literature and didactics from historical and contemporary perspectives
• Workshops on recent digital methods in the study of language variation
• Supporting programme

The language practice exercises, teaching modules and workshops are led by recognised experts in the subject from the universities of Flensburg, Greifswald, Hamburg, Kiel, Rostock and Oldenburg. A public evening lecture by PD Dr Klaas-Hinrich Ehlers (Freie Universität Berlin) rounds off the programme.

Organisation, conditions of participation and application

The Low German Summer School is organised by the Department of Low German and Sater Frisian at the Institute for German Studies, University of Oldenburg, and will take place there from 5 to 9 September 2022 as an in-person event (arrival 4 September, departure 10 September). It is aimed at advanced undergraduates and PhD students who have a fundamental interest in the regional language Low German, its literature and issues relating to its teaching and acquisition, and/or an interest in regional language use, language variation and multilingualism.

We will provide information on any applicable health and safety measures in good time before the event begins. There are no participation fees. We plan to cover a proportion of travel and accommodation costs. For participants travelling from outside the area, we also have accommodation options available in Oldenburg city centre. The number of participants is limited to 20. Knowledge of Low German is not required.

If you are interested, please send your informal application, including a detailed letter of motivation (approx. 1 page), by 29 May 2022 to: .

You can download the call for applications together with the full programme here.

We look forward to receiving your applications and to exchanging ideas with you!

Marina Frank & Doreen Brandt

University of Oldenburg
Institute for German Studies
Specialising in Low German and Sater Frisian