Difference between revisions of "Dutch language"
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==Use of apostrophe== | ==Use of apostrophe== | ||
| − | Apostrophe + lower case s ('s) can often be found at the beginning of a sentence, e.g. | + | Apostrophe + lower case s ('s) + word beginning with upper case letter can often be found at the beginning of a sentence, e.g. |
| − | : 's | + | : 's Ochtends/'s Middags/'s Avonds |
| − | This derives from the old Dutch '' | + | 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] |
==Status in Belgium== | ==Status in Belgium== | ||
Revision as of 14:33, July 12, 2013
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.
Use of apostrophe
Apostrophe + lower case s ('s) + word beginning with upper case letter can often be found at the beginning of a sentence, e.g.
- '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" [1]
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.
