You do not have to go to Belgium — or even Namur — to learn Walloon phrases anymore.

The Belgian Heritage Center is using its newly redesigned website to help preserve the Walloon language for future generations. Walloon was primarily spoken in southern Belgium and parts of northern France. Many immigrants brought the language with them to northeast Wisconsin, but its use has steadily declined over the years.

Belgian Heritage Center President Joe Alexander said the website features not only common Walloon phrases but also recordings of local residents speaking the language. He hopes people take advantage of the resource, which was developed with assistance from universities in Belgium, to help keep the language alive.

If you learn some Walloon in the coming weeks, you will have opportunities to try it out. The Belgian Heritage Center is hosting its annual Belgian Waffle Breakfast on June 28 and conducting several historical activities as part of Belgian Days in July.