Eupen dialect
Eupen dialect is the dialect spoken in the city Eupen.
Classification
The Eupener dialect is part of a dialect continuum between Limburgish and Ripuarian. Klaus-Jürgen Fiacre considers it to be a Low Franconian variety, and therefore closer to the former.Geographic distribution
Today, it is used less than other similar dialects in adjacent municipalities, like the dialects of Welkenraedt, Gemmenich or Montzen east of Eupen. The younger residents of Eupen tend to speak Standard German instead. West of Eupen, Wallonian dialects of French are spoken.Status
As the Eupen dialect is used by the German minority in Belgium, it is considered to be a dialect of German just like Ripuarian in Germany.Linguistic features
One of the characteristics of the Eupen dialect is diphthongization to ; compare Eupen Haint, Aindere, Maunt and lowpe with Dutch Limburgish hand, andere, moond and lòpe.Nouns are always capitalized, following German conventions.