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'''Dutch''' (''Nederlands'') is a West [[Germanic language]].  It is the main language of the [[Netherlands]] and [[Suriname]], and one of the official languages of [[Belgium]].  The Dutch language in the Netherlands, Belgium and Suriname is regulated by the ''Nederlandse Taalunie''.

'''Dutch''' (''Nederlands'') is a West [[Germanic language]] spoken by approximately 22 million people.  It is the main language of the [[Netherlands]] and [[Suriname]], and one of the official languages of [[Belgium]].  The Dutch language in the Netherlands, Belgium and Suriname is regulated by the ''Nederlandse Taalunie''.

==Use of apostrophe==

==Use of apostrophe==

: 's Ochtends/'s Middags/'s Avonds

: 's Ochtends/'s Middags/'s Avonds

This derives from the old Dutch ''des ochtends'',  ''des middags'' and ''des avonds'', in which ''des'' is an inflected article, meaning "in the morning/afternoon/evening" [http://www.translationdirectory.com/article658.htm]

This derives from the old Dutch ''des ochtends'',  ''des middags'' and ''des avonds'', in which ''des'' is an inflected article, meaning "of the morning/afternoon/evening". Some Southern dialects use the terms "vandemorgend, vandemiddag, and vandenavond literally translating the more archaic forms of "des" with "vande(n)".[http://www.translationdirectory.com/article658.htm]

==Status in Belgium==

==Status in Belgium==

Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and German.  Only in the five northern provinces, collectively known as the "Flemish Region" (''Vlaams Gewest''), does Dutch have official language recognition.

Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and German.  Only in the five northern provinces, collectively known as the "Flemish Region" (''Vlaams Gewest''), is Dutch the official language where it is also unofficially called ''Vlaams'' meaning Flemish.

==See Also==

==See Also==