Dutch

A language of Netherlands

ISO 639-3

nld

Alternate Names

Hollands, Nederlands

Population

15,700,000 in Netherlands (European Commission 2012). Population total all countries: 21,944,690.

Language Maps

Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands

Language Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Classification

Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Franconian

Dialects

Northern North Hollandish (Westfries). Belgian variety of Dutch (not Vlaams [vls]) only slightly different from that of the Netherlands.

Typology

No dominant word order.

Language Use

Most speakers of other languages are also fluent in Dutch. 13,920,000 also use English [eng]. 4,640,000 also use French [fra]. 11,200,000 also use Standard German [deu].

Language Development

Fully developed. Bible: 1522–2004.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Dutch

Writing

Braille script [Brai], used since 1951. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.

Also spoken in:

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Aruba

Language nameDutch

Population

5,290 in Aruba, decreasing.

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Writing

Braille script [Brai], used since 1951. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.

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Belgium

Language nameDutch

Population

5,660,000 in Belgium (European Commission 2012).

Location

Antwerp, East Flanders, Limburg, Flemish Brabant provinces, and bilingual part (10%–20%) of Brussels.

Alternate Names

Dutch, Flemish, Nederlands, Vlaams

Dialects

Antwerps, Brabants, Oost-Vlaams.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1994, Constitution, Articles 2,4,30).

Language Use

3,540,000 also use English [eng]. 2,880,000 also use French [fra]. 1,620,000 also use Standard German [deu].

Writing

Braille script [Brai], used since 1951. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.

Other Comments

Glossonym: Vlaams in Belgium, even though different from (West) Vlaams [vls] 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.

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Caribbean Netherlands

Language nameDutch

Population

Bonaire 15,800 (Dutch and Papiamentu [pap]), St. Eustatius 3,100 (Dutch and English), Saba 2,000 (Dutch and English).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Provisional Official Languages Law, BWBW0028827, Article 2).

Writing

Braille script [Brai], used since 1951. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.

View other languages of Caribbean Netherlands

Curacao

Language nameDutch

Population

11,400 in Curacao (2011 SIL).

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Language Use

Used as L2 by Papiamentu [pap].

Writing

Braille script [Brai], used since 1951. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.

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Sint Maarten

Language nameDutch

Population

2,000 in Sint Maarten (2011 SIL).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Constitution, Article 1(2)).

Writing

Braille script [Brai], used since 1951. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.

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Suriname

Language nameDutch

Population

200,000 in Suriname (1997 C. DeKleine).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Language Use

All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Sarnami Hindustani [hns], Sranan [srn].

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Writing

Braille script [Brai], used since 1951. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.

Other Comments

Christian.

View other languages of Suriname

Ethnologue

Dutch

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A language of Netherlands

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Dutch

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A language of Netherlands

Also spoken in: