Dutch

A language of Netherlands

ISO 639-3

nld

Autonym

Hollands, Nederlands

Population

16,000,000 (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 23,025,430.

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

SVO (SOV in subordinate clauses); prepositions; noun head final; gender (common/neuter); definite and indefinite articles; passives (middle, active, passive); tense and aspect; comparatives; 21 consonants, 13 vowels, 3 diphthongs; non-tonal; stress on first syllable.

Language Use

Most speakers of other languages are also fluent in Dutch. Most also use English [eng] (European Commission 2006), Standard German [deu] (European Commission 2006). Some also use French [fra] (European Commission 2006).

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 Full

5,290 (2009 UNSD), decreasing.

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Nederlands

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Belgium

Language nameDutch

Population Full

6,160,000 (European Commission 2012).

Location

Antwerp, East Flanders, Flemish Brabant, and Limburg provinces; one area in Brussels.

Alternate Names

Flemish, Nederlands, Vlaams

Dialects

Brabants, Oost-Vlaams, Antwerps.

Status

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

Language Use

Most also use English [eng] (European Commission 2006). Many also use French [fra] (European Commission 2006). Some also use Standard German [deu] (European Commission 2006).

Other Comments

Called 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 Full

1,070 (2001 census). Bonaire 950, Sint Eustatius 100, Saba 20.

Alternate Names

Nederlands

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Curacao

Language nameDutch

Population Full

11,400 (2011 SIL).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Nederlands

Status

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

Language Use

Used as L2 by Papiamentu [pap].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Sint Maarten

Language nameDutch

Population Full

2,000 (2011 SIL).

Alternate Names

Nederlands

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Suriname

Language nameDutch

Population Full

280,000 (2016).

Alternate Names

Nederlands

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Language Use

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

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian.

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Ethnologue

Dutch

Primary tabs

A language of Netherlands

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