Dutch

A language of Netherlands

Nederlands

16,000,000 in Netherlands (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 24,443,930 (as L1: 22,838,930; as L2: 1,605,000).

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 (Hollands, Westfries). Belgian variety of Dutch, not to be confused with West Flemish (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). Most also use Standard German [deu] (European Commission 2006). Some also use French [fra] (European Commission 2006).

Language Development

Taught in all primary and secondary schools. Taught in most tertiary schools. Fully developed. Bible: 1526–2004.

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

User Population

5,290 in Aruba (2009 UNSD), decreasing.

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Nederlands

Language Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Aruba

Australia

Language NameDutch

User Population

33,800 in Australia (2016 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Australia

Austria

Language NameDutch

User Population

3,800 in Austria (2003 UNSD).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Austria

Belgium

Language NameDutch

User Population

7,640,000 in Belgium, all users. L1 users: 6,160,000 in Belgium (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 1,480,000 (2017 P. Jorgensen).

Location

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

Alternate Names

Flemish, Nederlands, Vlaams

Dialects

Brabants, Oost-Vlaams, Antwerps.

Language 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 Flemish (Vlaams) [vls] spoken in West Flanders. 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.

View other languages of Belgium

Brazil

Language NameDutch

User Population

11,000 in Brazil (2020 Registro Nacional Migratório no Brasil), based on nationality.

Location

Paraná.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Language Use

Most also use Portuguese [por].

Language Development

Dutch farming communities use Portuguese [por] in schools but add Dutch curriculum.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Brazil

Canada

Language NameDutch

User Population

103,000 in Canada (2016 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Canada

Caribbean Netherlands

Language NameDutch

User Population

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

Alternate Names

Nederlands

Language Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Caribbean Netherlands

Curacao

Language NameDutch

User Population

11,400 in Curacao (2011 SIL).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Nederlands

Language Status

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

Language Use

Used as L2 by Papiamentu [pap].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Curacao

Denmark

Language NameDutch

User Population

6,900 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Denmark

Finland

Language NameDutch

User Population

1,650 in Finland (2018 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Germany

Language NameDutch

User Population

166,000 in Germany (2020 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Germany

Greece

Language NameDutch

User Population

4,600 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Greece

Luxembourg

Language NameDutch

User Population

4,330 in Luxembourg (2011 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Luxembourg

New Zealand

Language NameDutch

User Population

24,000 in New Zealand (2013 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of New Zealand

Norway

Language NameDutch

User Population

9,100 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Norway

Portugal

Language NameDutch

User Population

6,590 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Portugal

Sint Maarten

Language NameDutch

User Population

2,000 in Sint Maarten (2011 SIL).

Alternate Names

Nederlands

Language Status

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

Language Development

Taught in all primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Sint Maarten

South Africa

Language NameDutch

User Population

15,000 in South Africa (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of South Africa

Spain

Language NameDutch

User Population

64,600 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Suriname

Language NameDutch

User Population

126,200 in Suriname, all users. L1 users: 1,200 in Suriname (2018). L2 users: 125,000 (2005).

Alternate Names

Nederlands

Language Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Language Use

All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Sarnami Hindustani [hns]. Also use Sranan Tongo [srn].

Language Development

Taught in all primary and secondary schools. Taught in tertiary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian.

View other languages of Suriname

Sweden

Language NameDutch

User Population

12,700 in Sweden (2020 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Sweden

Switzerland

Language NameDutch

User Population

22,200 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Switzerland

United Kingdom

Language NameDutch

User Population

26,700 in United Kingdom (2011 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of United Kingdom

United States

Language NameDutch

User Population

142,000 in United States (2015 census).

Location

Scattered.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Language Use

Most also use English [eng].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of United States

Dutch

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A language of Netherlands

Also spoken in:

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