NLD ISO 639-3
Dutch
Nederlands Autonym
A language of Netherlands
- ISO 639
- nld
- Autonym
- Nederlands
- Population
- 16,000,000 in Netherlands (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 24,443,930 (as L1: 22,838,930; as L2: 1,605,000).
- Language Status
- 1 (National). De facto national language.
- Classification
- Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Franconian
- Dialects
- Northern North Hollandish (Hollands, Westfries). Belgian variety of Dutch, not to be confused with West Flemish (Vlaams) [vls], only slightly different from that of the Netherlands.
- Typology
- SVO (SOV in subordinate clauses); prepositions; noun head final; gender (common/neuter); definite and indefinite articles; passives (middle, active, passive); tense and aspect; comparatives; 21 consonants, 13 vowels, 3 diphthongs; non-tonal; stress on first syllable.
- Language Use
- Most speakers of other languages are also fluent in Dutch. Most also use English [eng] (European Commission 2006). Most also use Standard German [deu] (European Commission 2006). Some also use French [fra] (European Commission 2006).
- Language Development
- Fully developed. Bible: 1526–2004.
- Language Resources
- OLAC resources in and about Dutch
- Writing
- Braille script [Brai], used since 1951. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.
Also Spoken in
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Austria
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
3,800 in Austria (2003 UNSD).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Australia
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
33,800 in Australia (2016 census).
- Location
- Widespread.
- Language Status
- 3 (Wider communication)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Aruba
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
5,290 in Aruba (2009 UNSD), decreasing.
- Location
- Antwerp, East Flanders, Flemish Brabant, and Limburg provinces; one area in Brussels.
- Dialects
- Brabants, Oost-Vlaams, Antwerps.
- Language Status
- 1 (National)
- Other Comments
- Called Vlaams in Belgium, even though different from West Flemish (Vlaams) [vls] spoken in West Flanders. In the Dutch linguistic area there are minority rights for French-speaking persons in Drogenbos, Kraainem, Linkebeek, Sint-Genesius-Rode, Wemmel, Wezembeek-Oppem, Mesen, Spiere-Helkijn, Ronse, Bever, Herstappe, Voeren. View other languages of Belgium
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
7,640,000 in Belgium, all users. L1 users: 6,160,000 in Belgium (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 1,480,000 (2017 P. Jorgensen).
- Language Status
- 1 (National)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Caribbean Netherlands
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
1,070 in Caribbean Netherlands (2001 census). Bonaire 950, Sint Eustatius 100, Saba 20.
- Location
- Paraná.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Brazil
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
11,000 in Brazil (2021 Joshua Project). , based on ethnicity.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Canada
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
103,000 in Canada (2016 census).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Switzerland
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
22,200 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD).
- Location
- Widespread.
- Language Status
- 3 (Wider communication)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Curacao
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
11,400 in Curacao (2011 SIL).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Germany
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
166,000 in Germany (2020 census). , based on nationality.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Denmark
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
6,900 in Denmark (2020 census). , based on nationality.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Spain
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
64,600 in Spain (2020 census). , based on nationality.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Finland
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
1,650 in Finland (2018 census).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of United Kingdom
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
26,700 in United Kingdom (2011 census).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Greece
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
4,600 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a). , based on ethnicity.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Luxembourg
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
4,330 in Luxembourg (2011 census).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Norway
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
9,100 in Norway (2021 census). , based on nationality.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of New Zealand
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
24,000 in New Zealand (2013 census).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Portugal
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
6,590 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Sweden
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
12,700 in Sweden (2020 census). , based on nationality.
- Language Status
- 1 (National)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. Christian. View other languages of Suriname
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
126,200 in Suriname, all users. L1 users: 1,200 in Suriname (2018). L2 users: 125,000 (2005).
- Language Status
- 1 (National)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Sint Maarten
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
2,000 in Sint Maarten (2011 SIL).
- Location
- Scattered.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of United States
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
142,000 in United States (2015 census).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of South Africa
Language Name
Dutch
User Population
15,000 in South Africa (2020 Joshua Project). , based on ethnicity.
Map
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