Abstract
In this paper data is presented that gives indications that Fryslan, being the only minority language region in the Netherlands, can be considered to have a distinct regional economy in the Dutch context. Therefore, information is given about the extent of regional identification in business names all over the Netherlands. Reference is made to the theoretical work of Rose and the empirical investigations of Zelinsky and Pellenbarg. Interviews in business firms in Fryslan are described.
Fryslan appears to have a special position in the Netherlands in that there is a relatively strong identification by entrepreneurs with the province using the name of that region in business names but particularly by using the regional language, Frisian, for that purpose. There are strong indications that Fryslan also has a distinct regional economic development in the Dutch context because of the bilingual situation.
The paper ends with an evaluation and with policy recommendations for the Provincial Government of Fryslan.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 309-323 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie |
| Volume | 92 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2001 |
Keywords
- regional identity and economic development
- Fryslan in the Dutch context
- empirical data on business names and interviews among managers of business firms
- regional language
- regional economic policy
- language policy