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My experience in Den Haag

I'm a Yank living in Den Haag who is learning Nederlands. I've become proficient in the language but notice that I sometimes get funny looks with my strange American accent. I don't mind that because it usually provokes interesting conversation with the Dutch I meet. Also, my Dutch neighbors all respect the fact that I am learning their language and it has really helped me to make friends with them. I find it much easier to understand Nederlands spoken by those from Indonesia and Suriname (former Dutch colonies) than by the native Dutch speakers. I think it is because these people learn textbook Dutch without the burden of regional dialects. The "Haagenaars" or people from Den Haag have a tendency to swallow their words when they talk and I find it very difficult to understand a really thick Haagenaar accent. I don't even attempt to interact with the Limburgers or Groeningeners and usually have to resort to using English which most (but not all!) Dutch have some knowledge. The times I have been in Flemish speaking Belgium I speak Nederlands but also get some smiles probably because of my accent and use of Dutch rather than Flemish expressions. Sometimes I have to repeat myself or say something in a different way, but I can make myself understood. I've also quickly come to understand that when in Brussels you speak French and not Nederlands even though Brussels is the capital of Flanders, the Flemish speaking region of Belgium.

Sent by: Paul

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