What is in Dutch?

Dutch (or more formally the Dutch language), also called Netherlandic, is a West Germanic language spoken by about 28 million people worldwide, primarily in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, and also by a minority of the population in France and Germany. It is the official language of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, and one of three official languages in Aruba and Curaçao. Dutch is also recognised as a language by Indonesia and South Africa, and is spoken by a minority in the former colony of North America, particularly in the states of Michigan, Indiana and New Jersey.

Dutch is closely related to English, Frisian, and Low German. It is the most spoken of the three West Germanic official languages of Belgium, alongside French and German. Dutch, the official language of around two-thirds of the population (Flanders), accounts for roughly 60% of the Belgian population, while French, the official language of around one-third of the population (Wallonia), accounts for about 40% of the Belgian population.

The standard Dutch language, based on the Hollandic dialect, emerged as a literary and written language in the 16th century, and became generally accepted as the standard in Belgium in the 19th century.

Dutch dialects:

- West Germanic dialects:

- Dutch

- North Hollandic:

- West Frisian

- Hollands

- East Dutch

- Low Saxon

- Twents

- Achterhoeks

- Sallands

- Veluws

- Urkers

- Stadsfries

- Gronings

- Oldambtsters

- Stellingwerfs

- Middenlands

- Kleverlands

- Gelders-Overijssels

- Bommelerwaards

- West-Utrechts

- Utrechts-Alblasserwaards

- Kennemerlands

- Waterlands

- Zaans

- West-Fries

- Amstellands

- Old Dutch and Middle Dutch