Editing Gronings dialect (section)

== Classification ==
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There are many uncertainties about the classification and categorization of Gronings. Words used in classifying it are often more political than linguistic, because it encompasses a large group of very differing varieties. Some linguists see it as a variety of [[Low German]], also called ''Nedersaksisch'' in the Netherlands, but there is controversy surrounding whether all the dialects that have been called Low German are similar enough to be placed in one category.

Other linguists, especially in Germany, see Gronings–East Frisian as a separate group of [[German dialects]]. The East Frisian influence, the sounds ''ou'', ''ai'' and ''ui'' and the typical accent are part of that distinction. Other linguists categorize all Gronings–East Frisian dialects as part of North Low German. When that is the case, all the other Low German varieties in the Netherlands are categorized as [[Westphalian language|Westphalian]].

Dutch linguists in particular have classified Gronings as [[Dutch Low Saxon]]{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}. In this case the [[Dutch language|Dutch]] influence is seen as an essential factor contrasting with the greater influence of [[High German languages]] found in the dialects on the other side of the national border. These influences concern especially the vocabulary: for example the Dutch word "{{lang|nl|voorbeeld}}" is "{{lang|gos|veurbeeld}}" in Gronings, while the East Frisian dialects use ''"biespööl"'', related to the High German word "{{lang|de|beispiel}}". From this point of view the separation is not between Westphalian and Groningen–East Frisian (or North Low Saxon), but rather between Groningen on one side and East Frisian on the other, with the national border also functioning as the linguistic border.