Tweants dialect

Twents (or Tweants) is a West Low Saxon dialect spoken in Twente, a Dutch region near the German border, although it is also spoken in the nearby German border regions, where it is considered a form of Low German. Its speakers also refer to Tweants as Plat.

Native speakers have a distinct accent when speaking Dutch, and are hence easily recognized. Particularly the distinct pronunciation of the 'O' is renowned. The language is also known for its wealth in proverbs:

• Loa moar kuul'n, 't löp wa los – Never mind, it will sort itself out.
• As 'n tied komt, komt 'n ploag – When the time comes, the trouble comes. Dont worry before the trouble starts.
• Ie könt nich bloaz'n en 't mel in 'n moond hoal'n – Literally, you cannot blow and keep the flour in your mouth. 'Bloaz'n' also means 'to brag', so its real meaning is the same as "put your money where your mouth is"
• Hengelerweend – Wind from Hengelo, a haughty attitude.

In contrast to many other dialects, Twents is still commonly used, mainly because there are a fair number of poets writing in it and the traditional stubbornness of its speakers.

• Johanna van Buren (poet)
• Willem Wilmink (poet, songwriter)
• Herman Finkers (comedian)

Also the Bible has been translated into Tweants.

Recently, it has enjoyed an extra revival thanks to a soap in Tweants: "Van Jonge Leu en Oale Groond" ("Of young people and old property").