Some facts about the Mestreechs
The Maastricht dialect, also called “Mestreechs”, is a Limburgish dialect spoken in the city of Maastricht and the immediate vicinity. It is part of the Limburgish dialects, which belong to the South Limburgish dialects. These dialects are strongly influenced by both the German and French language areas, due to the geographical location of Limburg.
Culture and dialect
The city of Maastricht has a foundation Mestreechter Taol, which is committed to the preservation and promotion of the dialect. They want to pass on the Maastricht language and culture to the younger generations and to newcomers. On their website you will find an extensive linguistic reference work about the city dialect of the city of Maastricht. The most important part is the Dictionair vaan de Mestreechter Taol, which is considered the official dictionary of Maastrichtish.
The dialect plays an important role in the local culture of Maastricht. The city has a rich tradition of music and theater in Mestreechs, with well-known artists and groups using the dialect in their work. For example, the popular band Rowwen Hèze sings in Limburgish, and many songs have a Mestreech touch. And of course André Rieu also likes to address his audience in the Mestreechs, during his invariably sold-out concerts at the Vrijthof.
Pronunciations and sounds
Maastricht has a typical soft ‘g’, as in the south of the Netherlands and Flanders. A striking feature is the singing-like intonation, which gives it a melodic character.
Mestreechs is known for his characteristic pronunciation, especially the so-called “sj” sound, which is not often found in standard English. For example, the word “shtil” (silent) is pronounced with a soft “sh” sound.
In 2002, Maastricht was officially recognised as a regional language within the European Charter.
Carnival
During the Maastricht carnival, the Mestreech taol plays a major role. Many carnival songs are sung in the dialect, which strengthens the community’s connection to the language. During carnival (Vastelaovend), the dialect is fully present in songs, parades and speeches. There are many Maastricht songs in dialect, such as by Beppie Kraft or in the local Mestreechter Geis tradition. The “Mestreechter Geis” (Maastricht Spirit) is the feeling of pride, individuality and zest for life that resonates in the dialect.
Wooden coasters in the Mestreechs
We have engraved six typical expressions in Mestreechs in the wood of these bamboo wooden coasters. Of course, a real Maastricht resident recognizes them immediately. The flag of Maastricht can also be found on the coasters. Give them as a gift to someone who comes to live in the area, so that he or she immediately learns some beautiful sayings. This makes integrating into your new environment a lot easier. Immerse yourself in the South Limburg culture, enjoy this beautiful region and surprise your guests with these coasters. You immediately have great conversation material while serving your drinks!
The wooden coasters are made of sustainable bamboo that gives a pleasant, natural touch to your interior. They are strong enough to carry the heaviest glasses and mugs. And because they are carved from wood, they also ensure that your table remains protected from scratches and stains. The wood is 5 mm thick and therefore they are nice and sturdy. The diameter is 9 cm. You get them in a set of six.
You can easily clean the round wooden coasters. We recommend wiping them down with a damp cloth from time to time. This way they will look beautiful for years to come.
Questions? For example, do you want your own favorite sayings in Mestreechs on it? Feel free to contact us.