Well, being away from this board, most of it has been said already I think.
Just a few more remarks:
- German is indeed an official language. It's not spoken in Limburg (although the Limburg dialect could be descriped as something between Dutch/Flemish and German), but in the east of the province of Liège. That is because it is a part that used to belong to Germany and that after WW I was given to Belgium.
- As stated before, French used to be the only official language, and quite some high-class (or wonna-be-high-class) Flemish families (especially in Antwerp and Ghent and also in Kortrijk) still speak French and there's even private schools teaching in French in Flanders. As Knokke is a posh coast town (a bit like the Hamptons, probably) French is very widely spoken there, 'cause all the posh families go on holiday there. The old villa's and the Zwin natural reserve are really beautiful though, so it's worth a visit (also if you like admiring expensive cars :-))
- The most typical example of a completely raped French word used in the Netherlands would be 'jus d'orange' or orange juice, changed into 'suderans'

Stardust: 'jus d'orange' is one of those words that is commonly used in the Netherlands, but NOT in Flanders! Same goes for 'étage' or 'caissière', just to name a few.
I've spent the day in Knokke on the beach, the weather was glorious by the way! Of course we had a drink at the "Place m'as-tu vu" afterwards.:-))

Myriam C: I am Belgian so I know :-) And by the way: in my dialect (I live in the south of West-Flanders) we do use a lot of French words like étage and caissière, but at least our pronounciation is pretty close to the original :-) And yes, I like the Knokke beach as well, because it's a lot more quiet than many other beaches and most people do behave better than average.

Stardust, we're maybe only about 100-150 km apart (I live north of Antwerp), we also use French words but not the ones you mention!
I have acquintances in both Veurne and Tongeren. I've never realized this before, but it could be interesting language (dialect)-wise to have a get together the three of us!

But wait, there's more!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/commu.../flemish.shtml

Amusez-vous bien . . . !

ealing:
Fascinating!
So many interesting points, not the least of which is this idea that the biggest Dutch speaking city is actually Brussels, not Amsterdam.
And that the term "Flemish" is used derogatorively as a way to distinguish Belgians from the "real" Dutch.
Great article with much of the content reflecting what we have discussed here.

Myriam, I must have just missed you at 'Place m'a tu vu'! Was just eating prawn croquettes at Carlton.
It's still glorious weather in Knokke, and tonight (6th August) is the 'Night of het Zoute', with shops open late and fashion shows with new fall clothes in all the shops and on the Zeedijk. And don't miss the international fireworks competition starting August 17.

Tulips: I was going to ask you about the fireworks competition. I knew it was around this time of year. I will be able to catch some of it this year yet. Thank you for mentioning it!

It starts the 17th, and is every other day, last one on the 25th.

How come I missed this thread?
MyriamC is Belgian, I knew that.
Stardust is from WVl, like me. Where from?
Tulips also?
As it must have become clear to Truppidavies that she will have no language problem in Brussels and in Brugge, (where I would suggest not even to try and speak in French), and as the general belgian language question is, to some extent, a question that only a rich country can afford to have, I will not add any comments. :-)

Perhaps a good address for Truppidavies, one up-scale restaurant: De Gouden Harynck, make a reservation as soon as possible!

Have a very good trip!

Tulips, we'll be back for the fireworks if the weather will still be nice by then. Anyway, I'm back home now (job called!) and I'm very glad my office has A/C. It's so hot and humid ...

Baldrick, Tulips is Dutch but she lives in Belgium, very near to my place d'ailleurs!

Baldrick, great to see your boost for Den Gouden Harynck!! We've recommended that restaurant many times. They now have a website:
http://www.goudenharynck.be/
It gets overlooked by tourists as it's not in most guidebooks (which is a good thing, I guess). It's an elegant restaurant with excellent food. Not cheap and not a place for casual dress, though.
We're going to Brugge for the week-end (and our hotel has airco, hooray, it has been just TOO warm and sticky lately).

Baldrick: I am born and raised near exit 5 of the E17 highway :-) but consider Ghent 'my town' since I spent a lovely student time there.

As for the Knokke-Heist Fireworks Festival: this is the complete program for this year:
17 aug :BROEKHOFF - Netherlands
19 aug: REGIE FETE- France
21 aug: PARENTE- Italy
23 aug: SUNNY -China
25 aug: THAILAND FIREWORKS -Thailand (Winner 2003)
The fireworks are on the Duinbergen beach (Knokke-Heist is composed of Knokke, Duinbergen and Heist) and start at 22h sharp. There are always lots and lots and lots of people going there, so arrive early, or park a bit away and take the coast tram. You can also take the tram from the Knokke railway station if you're staying in Brugge for example, but might have trouble getting back, as the last train back to Brugge goes at 23h07, unless they put up special services for the Fireworks.
If you try to look for the exact location: at least at previous years it's more or less where the surfing club is on the beach, in front of a little grass hill (where I used to sledge ride as a kid in snowy winters ;-))

stardust,
I am born and raised on exit 8 of the E40, also with a lovely student time in Ghent from vijfenzeventig tot tachtig.
Woon nu in Zwitserland sinds 22 jaar.

No Knokke-Heist fire works for me this year.

Cheers
P.

Stardust, to be honest I like Duinbergen better than the Knokke Casino or Heist areas - less crowds! You can often find us at Kiki Beach.

Is the Fireworks Festival in the same location where Polé Polé takes place? Then we better take our bikes along to get there.

Myriam, it's a bit more towards the Casiono from where Pole Pole is; next to the sailing club. The Australian Icecream stand and Glacier Post are nearby. Or book dinner at Beaufort; you'll have a great view from there. I'm lucky enough not to work, so am enjoying the 2 month school holiday, mostly in Knokke.

BTilke, De Gouden Harynck must have started some 20 to 25 years ago. It had reached its actual quality level by the second half of the '80ies. The restaurant functions successfully with its very loyal clientèle, people from Brugge and surroundings, who like quality food in a charming environment, and who can pay the price. It has a very charming and quiet atmosphere. ...And I often wonder if it is a good thing to do to make publicity for it...

Thanks, Tulips!
You are indeed lucky to be able to spend so much time at the seaside. We're weekenders and daytrippers - zonder frigobox :-)

Who needs fireworks after thunderstorms like last night's? KaBOOOMMM!! What a show! I wonder if it equaled the previous big storm a week or so ago (30,000 recorded lightning strikes in the Brussels area). Too bad it didn't really cool things off. At least we've got airco in our Brugge hotel this week-end.

Ha ha! I have friends camping in the Ardennes this weekend. Cannot wait to hear their story (with toddler in tow . . . oh no)

BTilke do let us know all about your Brugge experiences this weekend : trop de monde ? any tips for high season survival there?