What Language do They Speak in Belgium?
Jun 12th, 2002, 06:52 PM
#22
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The Elvira reference to shopping for "regular food", whether she consumed or not.<BR><BR>Author: elvira ([email protected])<BR>Date: 10/31/2000, 09:51 am<BR><BR>...<BR><BR> you can find regular food in London (and throughout all of Europe) stores but sometimes in a different spot than you'd expect. Milk is super-sterilized, and is packaged in boxes. You'll find it in the grocery aisle, NOT the dairy case. <BR>
Jun 13th, 2002, 12:16 AM
#26
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/languages/european_languages/countries/belgium.shtml<BR>http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/languages/european_languages/languages/dutch.shtml<BR>And from: http://www.visitbelgium.com/bxhome.htm<BR>"The Flemish speak Dutch and the Walloons speak French."
Jun 13th, 2002, 01:52 AM
#27
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<BR>Sjoerd, <BR>Wether we speak Dutch or Flemish - we'll leave that one open (OK, OK, the official name is Dutch but we speak FL*****) - it's very kind of you to make such good promotion for Belgium! It is indeed the best kept secret in Europe. Dank u wel.
Jun 13th, 2002, 02:40 AM
#29
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Thanks to Myriam and Peter<BR><BR>I am an Afrikaner, living in South Africa. My mother tongue is Afrikaans (Art, it is not a corrupt form of Dutch)I think it is a finer, more developed form, and closer to Vlaams - it is softer on the ear, without the harshness of the Dutch sounds, and more "stream lined" if I can put it like that?!<BR><BR>Living in South Africa, making me part of Africa - and how do I love the open blue skies, the sun and Thorn trees! But that does not change the fact that I am first and foremost an Afrikaner. I work for a multi cultural organisation, so our language of communication is English, most of the time - but I know a few words in phrases in Sotho, Tswana and Zulu - to accommodate my colleagues, and they a few in Afrikaans - and we respect each others language!<BR><BR>I am visiting Belgium for the first time in September, and I am looking forward to the Vlaams and Nederlands!<BR><BR>Helen
Jun 13th, 2002, 05:11 AM
#30
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Sjoerd, just because the BBC says something doesn't make it right (it took them over 20 years to figure out the difference between English football fans and Scottish football fans and they STILL get it wrong!)<BR><BR>A language was once defined as "a dialect with an army and navy." It's gone a bit further than that now - some languages which were considered dialects are now seperate languages (Scots being one of these.)<BR><BR>As for the original question - it's Flemish / Dutch (call it what you will) or French. But don't try to speak French to a Flemish speaker.....
Jun 13th, 2002, 06:19 AM
#31
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Most of us (Flemisch people) can speak French very well you know. When you talk to us in French, we answer in French, when you talk to us in English, we answer in English. So, Jewels,don't worry, we will understand you and you will understand us. Goede reis! / Bon voyage / Have a pleasant journey!
Jul 1st, 2002, 01:07 PM
#35
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Hi<BR><BR>You said ........ "A Belgian passport has all three languages (Dutch, French, German) on it's cover." <BR><BR>You may be right, but my driving license issued in a flemish commune was only in Flemish. A permis in French only is issued in the French areas.<BR><BR>Peter<BR>
Jul 1st, 2002, 01:22 PM
#36
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Well, the Belgian authorities don't seem to know what they really want: indeed, what I didn't know until Peter mentioned it, my drivers licence is in Flemish only (or Dutch, Sjoerd!), my international passport is in Flemish, French and German, my identity card is in Flemish and English.
