Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post

Melusine · 10-26-2001, 11:45 AM

Language education in Holland is quite good, but it's a big misconception that the Dutch are good at languages: they just THINK they are

Of course, there's a much larger percentage of Dutch speaking English than vice versa, and out of necessity almost every Hollander speaks at least a few words of English, French or German, but they arrogantly assume that they all speak it so very well. *rolls eyes* Well, I can tell you that the worst accents and mistakes I've ever heard, I've heard in my own country. The most common mistake that the Dutch make is translating expressions and idiosyncratic constructions literally into a foreign language resulting in -little amusing example from RL for those who speak Dutch- a businessman telling an overseas partner that "we will go into the sea with you" (huh?

).
Like I said, we do get taught pretty well in school - for the first two or three years of secondary school, children get taught Dutch, English, French and German. The first two remain obligatory for the full six or five years (depending on the level on which you study - could any Dutchie please help me out w.r.t the situation at MAVO/IVBO's?), and French and German can either be dropped at that point or also kept for the full secondary school period. Most children learn som English in the last two years of Primary School as well.

------------------
Melusine, Sultry Elflet,
High Queen of Fluffies,
Archbabe of the OHF,
LH, HADB and ORT!

Your voice is ambrosia
Amy Brown Fantasy Art

[This message has been edited by Melusine (edited 10-26-2001).]

10-26-2001, 11:45 AM	#3
Melusine Dracolisk Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands Age: 45 Posts: 6,541	Language education in Holland is quite good, but it's a big misconception that the Dutch are good at languages: they just THINK they are Of course, there's a much larger percentage of Dutch speaking English than vice versa, and out of necessity almost every Hollander speaks at least a few words of English, French or German, but they arrogantly assume that they all speak it so very well. rolls eyes Well, I can tell you that the worst accents and mistakes I've ever heard, I've heard in my own country. The most common mistake that the Dutch make is translating expressions and idiosyncratic constructions literally into a foreign language resulting in -little amusing example from RL for those who speak Dutch- a businessman telling an overseas partner that "we will go into the sea with you" (huh? ). Like I said, we do get taught pretty well in school - for the first two or three years of secondary school, children get taught Dutch, English, French and German. The first two remain obligatory for the full six or five years (depending on the level on which you study - could any Dutchie please help me out w.r.t the situation at MAVO/IVBO's?), and French and German can either be dropped at that point or also kept for the full secondary school period. Most children learn som English in the last two years of Primary School as well. ------------------ Melusine, Sultry Elflet, High Queen of Fluffies, Archbabe of the OHF, LH, HADB and ORT! Your voice is ambrosia Amy Brown Fantasy Art [This message has been edited by Melusine (edited 10-26-2001).]