Official estimates of the number of Limburgish speakers in East Limburg are in the region of 770,000 people or roughly 70-75% of the population. There is no official estimate for the number of Limburgish speakers in West Limburg, but research indicates that approximately 320,000 people or 40% of the population speak the language.

In East Limburg, Limburgish is spoken across all socio-economic layers of society. About 25% of those living in Limburg, but who are not Limburgish speakers, indicate that they would like to do so. Dutch is increasingly used by primary school children as the language spoken with family and friends. Migration also seems to be a factor leading to the decrease in the use of Limburgish amongst the generation of those under thirty years of age. Nevertheless, Limburgish is not viewed as a language of the older generation by many young Limburgers in East Limburg. The decrease in the use of Limburgish over the generations is much more noticeable in West Limburg, where this decrease was estimated to be 50% over the last 70 years.

Although Limburgish was recognised as a separate language in East Limburg in 1997, the language was not accorded the same status as Dutch, which remains the official language of government. Where possible, however, the regional government permits the use of spoken Limburgish in certain settings. Some of the Limburgers who speak Limburgish use it in more formal settings, such as at work or at school (55%), at the doctor’s (40%) or in telephone conversations with strangers (20%).
More than 80% of all Limburgers who speak the language use it with other speakers, parents, friends, their hairdresser, baker or butcher, with others on the street and when being addressed in Limburgish by others, including strangers, on the street. 60%-80% speak Limburgish with their partners at home, with partners in the presence of strangers and with their children.
Limburgish is predominantly used in situations that are characterised by familiarity and with an adult as a conversation partner. The only exception might be when one is addressed in Limburgish on the street by strangers. In many of these settings Limburgish has been replaced by Dutch in West Limburg, including the use of the language in more familiar or intimate situations.

In contrast with West Limburgers, East Limburgers have a high opinion of Limburgish and hold very positive views about their language. Limburgish is seen as a language which is richer and more beautiful than Dutch and its use provides more gezèllegheid, i.e. a warmer, cosier and more familiar atmosphere, than Dutch. In addition, a large majority of East Limburgers do not view Limburgish as a weird and unsophisticated little language, or something which is spoken by those who do not know any better. In their view, someone who speaks Limburgish in addition to Dutch is bilingual.

However, many East Limburgers believe that they, more than any other Dutch citizens, suffer ridicule because of their language. This is felt more deeply by the generation under thirty years of age. Limburgish speakers who communicate in Dutch, have a more clearly recognisable accent than speakers from other parts of the Netherlands or Flanders. Nevertheless, the vast majority of East Limburgers believe that Limburgers who are nationally well-known should be allowed to retain a recognisable Limburgish accent when speaking Dutch.

Identity in East Limburg is an interesting topic. In relation to this issue, the only figures available are those of the Limburg-enquête (‘Limburg Survey’). Only 10% of all East Limburgers asked regarded themselves first and foremost as Dutch. The remaining 90% primarily see themselves as Limburgish or identify with their region or locality of origin in East Limburg. Speaking Limburgish and feeling Limburgish are seen as closely intertwined. Losing the opportunity to speak Limburgish is regarded as a loss of identity. Primary identification with Europe, with Dutch speakers or with the Netherlands is negligible.
Such strong regional or local identification, however, does not signify that Limburg is viewed as a separate entity. Slightly less than half the Limburgish population regard themselves as part of the Netherlands and the same percentage identify only with the southern provinces. Less than 10 percent feel connected to West Limburg.

References
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Second Periodical report by the Netherlands presented to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in accordance with Article 15 of the Charter.

http://www.statbel.fgov.be/verkiezingen2006/downloads/com_gem_70000_nl.p... (18-6-2008).