Research theme: Multilingualism, heritage and identity in Fryslân
Duration: December 2025 – December 2026 
Partners: Mercator European Research Centre & NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
Coordination: Mercator European Research Centre
Mercator staff: Suzanne Dekker, Ydwine Scarse, Jelske Dijkstra
Funding: Fryske Akademy

The project title Ien & Mien is a Frisian phrase, literally translated to “one and in common”, meaning to share something in common.
 

Project description

This project examines how multilingualism, historical awareness, and the use of the minoritized language Frisian shape identity formation among pre-service primary teachers in the bilingual province of Fryslân, the Netherlands. For primary teacher education, Ien & Mien is highly relevant, as future teachers are expected to address linguistic diversity, heritage, and identity in their classrooms while simultaneously positioning themselves within these dynamics. 

Within Ien & Mien, pre-service teachers are asked to examine their own family’s history via an ego-document of choice, work in groups to analyse differences and similarities in different families’ language practices and relate these experiences to wider social and historical developments affecting Frisian as a minoritized language. They furthermore reflect on how researching their own linguistic heritage influenced their understanding of minoritized language identity, experiences of language (de)valorisation, and their professional self-concept as future teachers. Finally, they discuss how object-based learning and microhistory approaches can be adapted for use with primary school pupils to design lesson materials that align with curriculum goals for Frisian and history education.
 

Project objectives

• to examine how minoritized languages and cultural heritage contribute to both individual and collective identities;

• to explore how multilingualism and identity formation can be productively integrated into classroom practices, particularly in history education, in ways that support minoritized language awareness and valorisation;

• to function as a pilot study.