Lion73 Forum Posts

Jul 26, 2009

RE: Holland = Social Isolation

i could have known seeing that hat!

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Jul 26, 2009

RE: Holland = Social Isolation

Apfelstrudeln!!

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Jul 26, 2009

RE: Holland = Social Isolation

And i bet you voted Wilders?

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Jul 26, 2009

RE: which nationality is good in pleasing a woman in every aspect?

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Jan 18, 2009

RE: Whats your favorite smell?

The smell of kerosine

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Jan 17, 2009

RE: plane down

foie gras..

great landing...

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Jan 17, 2009

RE: Simple personal statement answers not really required.

Hi Sommer!

Its been a while indeed. Have been doing all kinds of things, working and especially travelling. How are you doing?
Haven't been away here?

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Jan 15, 2009

RE: Simple personal statement answers not really required.

"Huisarts"

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Jan 14, 2009

RE: The Dutch language has a lot of French, Spanish, Jidish, German and English

Hi everybody!
As being a 'real' Dutch guy, let me give my reaction on what I have read so far.

Historically seen, Holland (I hardly use The Netherlands) is a real export country and our ancestors simply had to speak different languages, just to be able to trade because they came all over the world.

Once they set foot on the Eastern coast of present USA, they named the new city New Amsterdam which later became New York. Parts of NY were later named Brooklyn and Harlem, named after Dutch cities Breukelen and Haarlem. This is no propaganda for the Dutch but just (fun) information

"Only" 1/3 of the country is now situated below sea level and they have done sublime work on keeping the sea out. They have learned from 1953. German is only vagely familiar to Dutch. Sure there are some similarities, but the German grammar is very tough. But so is the Dutch and I am sure that for any foreigner both languages will be very hard to learn. There is some logic, but just when you know you are getting the hang of it, there is an exception. We even have exceptions to exceptions....

The French language is mandatory in the first 3 years of highschool, German is only mandatory one year (in the 3rd). I can remember I loved French, German I dropped after this year as I couldn't get the hang of its grammar, even though I speak Dutch fluently. Greek you will find in any language as I saw somebody wrote this. On the otherhand I am not so sure about Spanish. Surely we might use some words because of the 80 year lasting war but it's not as common as English. English is definately the second language here and I agree many people speak the language fluently. If you switch the tv on i think 70% will be broadcasted in English with Dutch subtitles. This makes English morely something 'natural' than just a language taught on school.

Frisian is not an official language and is spoken in the very Northern province named Friesland (not in the East). People not living in Friesland often joke that you will need your passport when going over there

Even though it's a small country it's very true we use different dialects. You can even tell what part of the country people come from when you hear them talk.

So, here is some additional information, enjoy!