English
The Dutch Language Area and the Different Variants of Dutch
The Dutch and Flemish Belgians generally do not consider their language to be a world language. Nevertheless, Dutch is spoken in several countries and areas spread across several continents, each with their own variants and accents. Although the official standard language is largely the same, there are clear differences in pronunciation, vocabulary and sometimes even grammar. Here we take a closer look at Dutch as it is spoken in the Netherlands, Belgium, Suriname, the Caribbean and South Africa.
Dutch in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the standard variant of Dutch is spoken as laid down by the Dutch Language Union (de NederlandseTaalunie). This is the most influential form of the language, as most Dutch books, newspapers and official documents are based on it. Within the Netherlands itself however, there are many dialects and accents. For example, the soft ‘g’ in Brabant and Limburg and the Rotterdam ‘r’ sound are different from General Dutch. Although dialects have less influence on the standard language, regional differences remain noticeable, especially in informal conversations.
Southern Dutch: Dutch in Belgium
In Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, Dutch is also spoken, but with a different tongue and vocabulary. Here people often speak of Flemish, although it is not an official language, but a collective name for the Flemish dialects and accents. The official task name for Dutch as it is spoken in Belgium is Southern Dutch or Belgian Dutch. A notable difference between Belgian Dutch and Dutch Dutch is the word usage. In Belgium, for example, people say ‘goesting’ instead of ‘zin’ (gusto, appetite), ‘kuisen’ instead of ‘schoonmaken' (to clean) and ‘a kot’ instead of 'studentenkamer' (student room). In addition, the influence of French is stronger in Belgium, which can be seen in words like ‘frigobox’ (cool box) and ‘sletsen’ (slippers).
Surinamese-Dutch
In Suriname, Dutch is the official language, but it is often spoken in a different way than in the Netherlands and Belgium. Surinamese Dutch has been influenced by languages such as Sranantongo, Hindi and Javanese, so its pronunciation and word choice differ from Dutch in Europe. For example, Surinamese Dutch has words like ‘tatta’ ((white) Dutch person) and ‘lobi’ (love, to be fond of), which have their origins in other Surinamese languages. In addition, the grammar is sometimes different. A sentence like ”Ik ga naar huis” (I am going home) may be said as “Ik ben naar huis gaan" in Suriname. These kinds of differences ensure that Surinamese-Dutch has a character off its own.
Dutch in the Caribbean
Dutch is also an official language in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. However, in daily life, Dutch is used less and most people speak Papiamentu or English to each other. Spanish is also widely spoken. On the islands of Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba, which are special municipalities of the Netherlands, more Dutch is spoken with influences from local languages and a different tongue than in Europe.
Afrikaans in South Africa and Namibia
Although Afrikaans is no longer Dutch, it is directly descended from 17th-century Dutch brought to South Africa by Dutch colonists. Over the centuries, it has developed into an independent language with a simpler grammar and many influences from other languages such as Malay, Portuguese and indigenous African languages. Typical features of Afrikaans include omitted verb conjugations and irregular verbs. In Dutch I have eaten is “Ik heb gegeten", while in Afrikaans it is: “Ek het geëet”. Although Afrikaans and Dutch are very similar, they are recognised as separate languages.
Dutch is thus spoken in different parts of the world, and each region has its own unique variant. Whether in the Netherlands, Belgium, Suriname, the Caribbean or South Africa, the language continues to evolve and adapt to local cultures and influences. Because especially in the Netherlands and Belgium, people are not much exposed to other variants of Dutch, they are not always well understood. Nevertheless, Surinamese-Dutch slang in particular has its influence on language use in the Netherlands especially among younger people. In this way, Dutch is still a (minor) world language.
The Dutch Language Area and the Different Variants of Dutch
The Dutch and Flemish Belgians generally do not consider their language to be a world language. Nevertheless, Dutch is spoken in several countries and areas spread across several continents, each with their own variants and accents. Although the official standard language is largely the same, there are clear differences in pronunciation, vocabulary and sometimes even grammar. Here we take a closer look at Dutch as it is spoken in the Netherlands, Belgium, Suriname, the Caribbean and South Africa.
Dutch in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the standard variant of Dutch is spoken as laid down by the Dutch Language Union (de NederlandseTaalunie). This is the most influential form of the language, as most Dutch books, newspapers and official documents are based on it. Within the Netherlands itself however, there are many dialects and accents. For example, the soft ‘g’ in Brabant and Limburg and the Rotterdam ‘r’ sound are different from General Dutch. Although dialects have less influence on the standard language, regional differences remain noticeable, especially in informal conversations.
Southern Dutch: Dutch in Belgium
In Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, Dutch is also spoken, but with a different tongue and vocabulary. Here people often speak of Flemish, although it is not an official language, but a collective name for the Flemish dialects and accents. The official task name for Dutch as it is spoken in Belgium is Southern Dutch or Belgian Dutch. A notable difference between Belgian Dutch and Dutch Dutch is the word usage. In Belgium, for example, people say ‘goesting’ instead of ‘zin’ (gusto, appetite), ‘kuisen’ instead of ‘schoonmaken' (to clean) and ‘a kot’ instead of 'studentenkamer' (student room). In addition, the influence of French is stronger in Belgium, which can be seen in words like ‘frigobox’ (cool box) and ‘sletsen’ (slippers).
Surinamese-Dutch
In Suriname, Dutch is the official language, but it is often spoken in a different way than in the Netherlands and Belgium. Surinamese Dutch has been influenced by languages such as Sranantongo, Hindi and Javanese, so its pronunciation and word choice differ from Dutch in Europe. For example, Surinamese Dutch has words like ‘tatta’ ((white) Dutch person) and ‘lobi’ (love, to be fond of), which have their origins in other Surinamese languages. In addition, the grammar is sometimes different. A sentence like ”Ik ga naar huis” (I am going home) may be said as “Ik ben naar huis gaan" in Suriname. These kinds of differences ensure that Surinamese-Dutch has a character off its own.
Dutch in the Caribbean
Dutch is also an official language in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. However, in daily life, Dutch is used less and most people speak Papiamentu or English to each other. Spanish is also widely spoken. On the islands of Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba, which are special municipalities of the Netherlands, more Dutch is spoken with influences from local languages and a different tongue than in Europe.
Afrikaans in South Africa and Namibia
Although Afrikaans is no longer Dutch, it is directly descended from 17th-century Dutch brought to South Africa by Dutch colonists. Over the centuries, it has developed into an independent language with a simpler grammar and many influences from other languages such as Malay, Portuguese and indigenous African languages. Typical features of Afrikaans include omitted verb conjugations and irregular verbs. In Dutch I have eaten is “Ik heb gegeten", while in Afrikaans it is: “Ek het geëet”. Although Afrikaans and Dutch are very similar, they are recognised as separate languages.
Dutch is thus spoken in different parts of the world, and each region has its own unique variant. Whether in the Netherlands, Belgium, Suriname, the Caribbean or South Africa, the language continues to evolve and adapt to local cultures and influences. Because especially in the Netherlands and Belgium, people are not much exposed to other variants of Dutch, they are not always well understood. Nevertheless, Surinamese-Dutch slang in particular has its influence on language use in the Netherlands especially among younger people. In this way, Dutch is still a (minor) world language.