DUTCH: a language of Netherlands

The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).
It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005). See also the corresponding entry in the current edition of Ethnologue.

SIL code: DUT

ISO 639-1: nl

ISO 639-2(B): dut

ISO 639-2(T): nld

Population 13,400,000 in the Netherlands (1976 WA). Population total all countries 20,000,000 or more (1988 J.G. Kooij in B. Comrie).
Region Also spoken in Aruba, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Netherlands Antilles, Philippines, Suriname, UAE, USA.
Alternate names   NEDERLANDS, HOLLANDS
Dialects BREDAS, VENLOS.
Classification Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Franconian.
Comments The name 'Dutch' is resented by some speakers. National language. Dictionary. Grammar. SOV. Bible 1522-1988.

Also spoken in:

Aruba   
Language name   DUTCH
Comments It is decreasing in importance. Official language. Bible 1522-1988. See main entry under Netherlands.
 
Belgium   
Language name   DUTCH
Population 4,620,150 in Belgium (1990 WA).
Alternate names   NEDERLANDS
Dialects BRABANTS, OOST-VLAAMS.
Comments The variety of Dutch (not Vlaams) spoken in Belgium is only slightly different from the variety spoken in the Netherlands. Called 'Vlaams' in Belgium, even though it is different from the (West) Vlaams spoken there. In the Dutch linguistic area there are minority rights for French-speaking persons in Drogenbos, Kraainem, Linkebeek, Sint-Genesius-Rode, Wemmel, Wezembeek-Oppem, Mesen, Spiere-Helkijn, Ronse, Bever, Herstappe, Voeren. Official language. Radio programs, TV. Bible 1522-1988. See main entry under Netherlands.
 
France   
Language name   DUTCH
Population 80,000 in Westhoek.
Comments Not used in schools. Usage is reported to be diminishing. Bible 1522-1988. See main entry under Netherlands.
 
Netherlands Antilles   
Language name   DUTCH
Comments It is decreasing in importance. Official language. Bible 1522-1988. See main entry under Netherlands.
 
Suriname   
Language name   DUTCH
Population 200,000 mother tongue speakers in Suriname (1997 Christa DeKleine), many of whom are native bilingual speakers with Sranan or Sarnami Hindustani.
Comments National language. Bible 1522-1992. See main entry under Netherlands.
 
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Ethnologue data from Ethnologue: Languages of the World, 14th Edition
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