A Language of Their Own

I was not surprised to learn how protective the Dutch are regarding their mother tongue. Until this trip, I had never heard the Dutch language spoken. Perhaps this is why when I think of other languages, those that I recognize, such as German, Japanese, Chinese, German, and the various Romantic languages including French, Spanish, Italian, come to mind while Dutch does not. Even more, as we learned today during the presentation of the Dutch Language Union, Dutch has several dialects that correspond to different regions, Belgium being one such place. With a familiarity of a language, I believe a familiarity with a culture and its people begins. It is no wonder, then, that just two weeks ago, I had no understanding of the Dutch culture outside of the typical representations of Amsterdam.

The Hague

Due to this reason, I believe the Nederlandse Taalunie serves a more vital function than it is credited. In addition to preserving the language of the Dutch people and the Netherlands, the Nederlandse Taalunie serves the even more important role of preserving an identity. I am immediately reminded of the motto of the Netherlands, "Je Maintiendrai," that I saw while visiting The Hague. Directly alluding to this need to preserve, or as it translates in French, to maintain the Dutch identity, the nation's motto also serves as an oxymoron that provides a prime example of why the nation needs to "maintain" or "strengthen."

National Motto "Je Maintiendrai" inside The Hague

Written in French, the national motto illustrates a large problem facing the Dutch language, one especially relevant in the Flanders regions of Belgium since Napoleon annexed the lower portion of the Low Countries in the 1800s. As Kevin mentioned during his presentation of the Dutch Language Union, the Dutch language was never really used historically for official situations. Instead, French was the universal language, used then much like English is used today. With this position in the social and political world, French became associated with the educated, the elite. As the official language of Belgium, Dutch people, who only spoke Dutch, had larger problems when it came to the justice system with its laws and orders. With the superiority of French came the inferiority of the Dutch language and therefore its people who began to feel second class in their own country.

Stained Glass Window inside The Hague

This history of the Dutch language in Belgium therefore illustrates how language is inextricably linked to identity and privilege within a society. Taking this into account, the Dutch Language Union monitors its language carefully, expelling those words, such as French words, from its vocabulary as a means of preserving the language's purity. Where the Dutch allow hybridity in their architecture, they have made it clear that their language cannot and will not be tainted. In fact, it appears that the majority of their identity as a people resides in the unity generated by their language. In a way, the national motto utilizes the French language to remind its people of this past identity crisis while simultaneously encouraging them to maintain, of strengthen, and protect what it rightfully theirs.

 

Sophia