Going Dutch: How can I meet Netherlanders halfway language-wise in May?
Apr 10th, 2012, 01:08 PM
#21
hetismij - i'm sure you're right. but the dutch people that we tourists meet almost universally speak excellent english, because they are mixing with tourists all day - and not just native english speaking ones either, but ones who are using english as their lingua franca.
Apr 10th, 2012, 01:35 PM
#22
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<<BigRuss you forget half of Belgium in your list>>
Um, much of that half (closer to 60%) is historically Dutch and G-d knows there's enough commentary around discussing the Fleming-Walloon split. Flemish in Belgium are somewhat like Magyars in Romania . . .
But that is technically correct despite Wallonian dominance of Belgian identity (thus the internal civil war when Kim Clijsters would play Justine Henin).
Um, much of that half (closer to 60%) is historically Dutch and G-d knows there's enough commentary around discussing the Fleming-Walloon split. Flemish in Belgium are somewhat like Magyars in Romania . . .
But that is technically correct despite Wallonian dominance of Belgian identity (thus the internal civil war when Kim Clijsters would play Justine Henin).
Apr 14th, 2012, 06:01 AM
#23
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@StCirq
As a germanic language its structure is latinate? Excuse me? What does that mean? Also don't agree with the remark about the limited vocabulary. I take it you don't read Dutch literature, or Dutch scientific or scholarly texts.
As a germanic language its structure is latinate? Excuse me? What does that mean? Also don't agree with the remark about the limited vocabulary. I take it you don't read Dutch literature, or Dutch scientific or scholarly texts.
Apr 14th, 2012, 07:06 AM
#24
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Look, I don't say this for chauvinistic reasons or because I may or not believe it is the way it should be, but let's face it, at least for now, the closest thing the world has to a universal language is English for whatever the reason, good or evil. English is, of course, the language of international aviation and a whole lot of other things much to the chagrin of the French in particular. Chinese kids learn English at an early age, it is still, I believe, one of the official languages of India, both humongously large countries. About five years ago, I was very struck in touring Warsaw to find almost all the museums and monuments had explanations in both Polish and English (one could understand why it's no longer Polish and Russian but being in Central Europe, one might think German would function as a second language but then again I suppose we can understand that too)....it is simply a very pragmatic thing throughout the world for people to learn English as a second language. It's much more than there are lots of tourists around from English speaking countries. I can get along in French; I'm sure it's torture for naitive French speakers to listen to myu feeble efforts at prononciaton and time after time, I go into a restaurant in Paris and try my best to order in French and almost after the French words leave my mouth, the waiter will say and for the appetizer in English (onion soup). It's not a case of right or wrong it's just the way it is. A Dutch kid who wants to keep his or her options open to leave Holland will almost surely want to learn English first.
Apr 14th, 2012, 07:28 AM
#25
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Sorry xyz but what has your post got to do with Wanderful's desire to learn a bit of Dutch for a holiday?
Dutch children now learn English from the age of 5. That doesn't mean all Dutch adults are good at English. Some preferred to learn German, some just aren't good at languages - just as you get anywhere else in the world.
The fact that English is a worldwide language (at least in theory - but far from it in practice) doesn't mean English speakers should assume others understand them, or make no effort (if only from politeness) to learn a little of another language.
Dutch children now learn English from the age of 5. That doesn't mean all Dutch adults are good at English. Some preferred to learn German, some just aren't good at languages - just as you get anywhere else in the world.
The fact that English is a worldwide language (at least in theory - but far from it in practice) doesn't mean English speakers should assume others understand them, or make no effort (if only from politeness) to learn a little of another language.
Apr 14th, 2012, 08:04 AM
#26
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Come on, Dutch is a nice language and a few words are easily learned.
And the Dutch are a good-natured bunch who don't take easy insult if you mutilate their language a bit.
And with their love for diminutives, it sounds even more friendly:
Most important sentence for the single traveler:
Een pilsje, alstublieft!
And for the traveling couple:
Twee pilsjes, alstublieft!
And in case you are in a pub with a football match running on TV and Holland plays against another country -preferably against Germany ;-)
Hup Oranje hup!
And the Dutch are a good-natured bunch who don't take easy insult if you mutilate their language a bit.
And with their love for diminutives, it sounds even more friendly:
Most important sentence for the single traveler:
Een pilsje, alstublieft!
And for the traveling couple:
Twee pilsjes, alstublieft!
And in case you are in a pub with a football match running on TV and Holland plays against another country -preferably against Germany ;-)
Hup Oranje hup!
