Fries en Stadsfries in Nederlandstalige procesdossiers van rond 1720

Abstract

This article analyzes a selection of Dutch-language court records from the Court of Friesland, dating from around 1720, in order to investigate the presence and function of local vernacular elements in the proceedings. The analysis suggests that even a minimal insertion of local vernacular served to reinforce the authenticity and literalness of the testimony or report, thereby contributing to the credibility of the legal record. The fact that these documents are nevertheless riddled with local expressions is due to an insufficient knowledge of Standard Dutch.