If you aren’t Dutch or didn’t study Dutch in school, then don’t even think of trying to speak it! You’ll be chastised by everyone in Holland. They frown upon anyone trying to speak Dutch who hasn’t got a good handle on it. It IS a difficult language for most to master. It’s only spoken and understood in a few places around the world, so why learn it? Most Dutch in the cities speak English very well anyway. If you want to learn the language there are courses available at the Universities, and for many people wanting to live and work in Holland it is essential. If you’re going to be in Holland for an extended stay you can pick up some useful expressions that will serve you in daily transactions, but don’t get your hopes up that they’ll accept your attempts.

I think the reluctance of Dutch people to help others learn the language is no reflection on us visitors, but more on their own attitudes towards their language. There’s a lot of regional variation and dialects. And there’s been an ongoing debate about how the Dutch language should look in it’s written form that still hasn’t been decided. Many times I’ve asked my friends how to pronounce a word, only to hear two completely different versions. Those in the south of Holland use a softer version of the language with more rounded ‘g’ sounds. While up north they use a harder ‘g’ sound. And in Friesland they say their language is closer to English than Dutch (not that I can notice). Most Dutch can’t understand the Frieslander’s Frysk.

Dutch is similar to German, but it seems more Dutch can speak and understand German than the other way around. In fact the Dutch are some of the most multi-lingual people on the planet. English, German, French, Indonesian and Spanish are some of their second and third or fourth languages. Dutch immigration has added Moroccan, Turkish and Chinese to the language mix. Thanks to tourism and their history of trade, the Dutch have always had an easy time with languages. Of course I think once you’ve mastered Dutch, the rest are easy! Then again, since Dutch is not widely spoken, it helps to know another language.