Many expats are sick of Dutch people speaking English to them in shops, bars, restaurants etc. For those of us who have lived here a while this is nothing new, however today’s article in the Volkskrant newspaper; "Haagse expats zijn het zat; ze spreken heus wel Nederlands" (Dutch expats have had enough; they can speak Dutch) yet again shines a light on the subject.
But will anything change?
But will anything change?
I remember when I was learning Dutch how frustrating it was to receive a reply in English each time I made an effort to speak the language. It is meant well but it's very annoying when you're trying to practice a language and the person you're talking to insists on speaking with you in English. I’m pretty stubborn, so I just kept going in Dutch regardless. It must have been quite funny to an outsider, me speaking (or should I say trying to speak) in broken Dutch, Dutch person replying in English.
I remember a so-called friend refusing to speak Dutch with me…”but it’s much easier for me to speak English with you, it takes too much time to have a conversation if you want to speak Dutch”. Thanks for the vote of confidence. That friendship didn’t last.
I’ve lived in the Netherlands for over 10 years and in that time I’ve lost count of the amount of Dutch people who have commented on internationals living here who don’t speak the language. Yes, there are many who don’t bother learning it for one reason or another, but there are many who do try to learn, and guess why a lot of them give up???? Yes, you’ve got it! Because it’s kinda hard to practice a language when the locals refuse to speak it with you.
If I may give a wee little bit of advice…..
For anyone wanting to learn Dutch– go for it, it’s not that difficult, keep practicing, be stubborn, and if the person keeps on in English try asking them why they don’t want you to learn their language.
For the Dutch folk – yes you do mean well when you switch to English, no-one is arguing with that, but if someone makes an effort to speak Dutch with you please make an effort to reply in Dutch.
Click here for the full Volkskrant article
I remember a so-called friend refusing to speak Dutch with me…”but it’s much easier for me to speak English with you, it takes too much time to have a conversation if you want to speak Dutch”. Thanks for the vote of confidence. That friendship didn’t last.
I’ve lived in the Netherlands for over 10 years and in that time I’ve lost count of the amount of Dutch people who have commented on internationals living here who don’t speak the language. Yes, there are many who don’t bother learning it for one reason or another, but there are many who do try to learn, and guess why a lot of them give up???? Yes, you’ve got it! Because it’s kinda hard to practice a language when the locals refuse to speak it with you.
If I may give a wee little bit of advice…..
For anyone wanting to learn Dutch– go for it, it’s not that difficult, keep practicing, be stubborn, and if the person keeps on in English try asking them why they don’t want you to learn their language.
For the Dutch folk – yes you do mean well when you switch to English, no-one is arguing with that, but if someone makes an effort to speak Dutch with you please make an effort to reply in Dutch.
Click here for the full Volkskrant article
RSS Feed
