Dutch is not Deutsch - small problems cultural and lingual

[Glidepath]

Dutch is NOT the same as German (Deutsch)

As we travel sometimes to other countries it became clear to me, and others, that there are several persons all over the world who wrongly think DEUTSCH and DUTCH is the same, well it is NOT the same. Not the same at all. Do read on.

Persons living elsewhere in Europe of further away sometimes really think that in the Netherlands the people speak Dutch and then think, ahh that word sounds the same as that language the German people speak. (Deutsch).

let's summarise some important things in LESSON # 1

In Germany they call their language 'Deutsch'.
'Deutsch' translated to english = 'German'.
They call themselves 'Deutschen'.
The people of Germany are called in English: 'Germans'.

In the Netherlands they call their language 'Nederlands'
'Nederlands' translated to English = 'Dutch'.
They call themselves' Nederlanders'.
The people of the Netherlands are called in English: 'Dutch' (people)

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So you see, there is distinct difference between the two nations and its people!

YOU WILL NEVER FORGET THIS AND YOU WILL NEVER MAKE THAT MISTAKE NOW.
Feel free to spread the word.

[Warthog 71]

Just to clear things a bit "Dutch" is a "German" language, looking at it from that perspective we could say the "Dutch" speak "Deutsch" and to make it clear for everybody so do the British who speak "English", "Welch" and "Scottish" but the last two mentioned are not "English" at all.

Got it?

[ehusmann]

Ha, even the Dutch get confused

Dutch is not a German language (Duitse taal), but a Germanic language (Germaanse taal). The origin of both Dutch and German is Germanic. And believe it or not, even English is a Germanic language. So while you can say we all (Dutch, German, Brits (but not the Irish, Welsh and other Celtic speaking people)) speak Germanic, you cannot say we Dutch speak German or Deutsch.

My funniest story about people thinking I spoke German (not Dutch) was an American in Munich, way back in 1996. He was convinced we Dutch normally spoke German, but only spoke Dutch in public to confuse foreigners.... Yeah right... I clearly told hime we had our own language, while he didn't

Erwin

[phkza]

Just to clear things a bit "Dutch" is a "German" language, looking at it from that perspective we could say the "Dutch" speak "Deutsch" and to make it clear for everybody so do the British who speak "English", "Welch" and "Scottish" but the last two mentioned are not "English" at all.

Got it?

In fact, Dutch is a Germanic language. And never tell us that we speak Deutsch/German; it is like saying the Spanish speak Italian; both languages have the same origin but are definitely not the same

[Glidepath]

Dear Warthog 71, Ehusmann is right that Dutch is a Germanic language (Germaanse taal), and that is NOT the same as German.
Not the same at all.
I avoided mentioned that bit in LESSON # 1, as it may lead to confusion, but there you go.

Swedisch, Danish Norwegian, Icelandic, Frisian and apperently even Jiddisch as all Germanic languages.
Germanic language(s) is a part of the subgroup of Indo-European languages.

Celtic. language(s) is also a subgroup of Indo-European languages. Check what people in Wales spoke / speak.

Got it ?

[Gerard]

As a Dutchman, living in Germany, I would like to add two interesting facts, which I learned from a language-professor:

1- Dutch and German are the most similar two different languages worldwide.

2- The language-frontier between Dutch and German is determined by the verb "to make".
If a person says "maken" he/she is considered to speak Dutch, if he/she says "machen", he/she is considered to speak German, no matter what kind of dialect he/she speaks that might sound different.

Gerard

[PH-BRAD]

As a Dutchman, living in Germany, I would like to add two interesting facts, which I learned from a language-professor:

1- Dutch and German are the most similar two different languages worldwide.

[...]

Gerard

So I assume he considers Afrikaans to be the same language as Dutch? Otherwise I'm pretty sure that Dutch and Afrikaans are the most similar two different languages worldwide.

[Gerard]

As a Dutchman, living in Germany, I would like to add two interesting facts, which I learned from a language-professor:

1- Dutch and German are the most similar two different languages worldwide.

[...]

Gerard

So I assume he considers Afrikaans to be the same language as Dutch? Otherwise I'm pretty sure that Dutch and Afrikaans are the most similar two different languages worldwide.

At the time I even gave him that same example, but I do not remember exactly what the reason was. I think it had something to do with other languages influencing Afrikaans as well, which makes it more different from Dutch than German. Probably there is more to a language than just the sound of it, from a pure linguistic point of view.

Gerard

[Glidepath]

Indeed, English is (also) qualified as a (West) Germanic language. As said, these are part of the Indo-European language family.

Afrikaander Afrikaans is qualified as a daughter language of Dutch.

[Glidepath]

The country the Netherlands is often called Holland. Not all Dutch people like that, unless , unless they are supporting a sports athlete in a stadium or better yet, a sports team. Then they all are Shouting "Hup Holland Hup" most enthusiastically with all their hearts in it. Yeah, you've heard that at football matches.
The Dutch (people) speak 'Nederlands'. however, they never say they speak 'Hollands'. That is just never used referring to their language.


Many, not all, Dutch people often speak a little 'SteenkolenDuits' (make up German), but learning German/Duits/ Deutsch is regarded by most students as pretty difficult and thus absolutely not popular to start with, or continue after the basic level.
As a rule German people do not speak Nederlands/ Dutch (and most refuse to even try), and learning the Dutch lingo is not (offered) mandatory at any level, regarded very difficult and hence only popular with a few dedicated individuals (heroes!).

[Gerard]

As a rule German people do not speak Nederlands/ Dutch (and most refuse to even try), and learning the Dutch lingo is not (offered) mandatory at any level, regarded very difficult and hence only popular with a few dedicated individuals (heroes!).

I'll pass on this compliment to my (German) wife

[Stafhunter]

I'm talking "Tilburgs" is a dialect in Dutch

Was in Gent Belgium and a American ask me do you understand them you speak Dutch and they speak Vlaams

[Alpha Kilo One]

Dass wurde ja doch eine fremde Geschichte...

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[pvdk]

It becomes even more confusing when the Netherlands is called Holland. If I say overhere in France that I am an " Hollandais" they think I have become a supporter of Francois Hollande, which is certainly not the case.

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[Glidepath]

We cannot even try to being to image what it must be like for people, like one of the" Dutch (= from the Netherlands)" short-serving ministers of Treasure, having a first name like "Jan-Kees" and introducing themselves to an US english speaking individual.
Let alone whilst being in the southern states.