Oer it ferbân tusken taalnoarm en lêsbegryp/lêsplezier

Abstract

A great deal has been written about the desired language standard of Frisian; actual empirical investigations into the existing language standard are, however, scarce. A favourable exception to this assertion is Bernadet de Jager's recent publication: Leesbegrip, leesplezier en de Friese taalnorm; een onderzoek naar de invloed van de taalnorm op leesbegrip en leesplezier (‘Reading comprehension, the joy of reading and the Frisian language standard: an investigation into the influence of the language standard on reading comprehension and the joy of reading’), published by the Fryske Akademy (Amsterdam, 2003). De Jager is the first to investigate a possible correlation between the language standard of Frisian and reading comprehension/ joy of reading. On the basis of reported language conduct, De Jager has carried out her research among 396 pupils attending grades 6 and 7 of primary school, throughout Fryslân, as well as among 22 teachers and 5 experts on written Frisian and the Frisian language standard. I will discuss these matters in detail, on the one hand emphasising the innovative character of De Jager’s research, on the other hand signalling quite a few shortcomings. Finally, I will attempt to outline what the ideal investigation into the subject should look like.