prevalence of english in the netherlands

[blingbling]

hi, i read on wikipedia that in the netherlands ~70% of the population is familiar with english.

i don't know exactly if that means fluency, literacy, or what. what im worried about is if i only spoke english, could i possibly live comfortably in a large, dutch city such as the dam on the amstel river?

[nota]

I think english is taught in schools as a compulsary second language, iirc (I'll leave it for the Dutchies to confirm)

I lived in the Netherlands for 3 months and got by *ok* using only english, was able to do the shopping etc.

However I did find it a bit isolating because the dutch lingo is completely baffling and unfathomable to me, and unless you 'identify' yourself as a english speaker you hear only dutch gobbledegook spoken, so its hard to interact socially and spontaneously

[drakkie]

I think english is taught in schools as a compulsary second language, iirc (I'll leave it for the Dutchies to confirm)

I lived in the Netherlands for 3 months and got by *ok* using only english, was able to do the shopping etc.

However I did find it a bit isolating because the dutch lingo is completely baffling and unfathomable to me, and unless you 'identify' yourself as a english speaker you hear only dutch gobbledegook spoken, so its hard to interact socially and spontaneously

That's what I hear a lot from people as well. Sounds very recognizable. Though a lot of Dutchies also "speak" english, a lot don't speak it in a reasonable level anyhow. A big nuisance when a non-native english person tries to understand a Dutchie. I translated a lot of times now..

[LotusLocost]

That's what I hear a lot from people as well. Sounds very recognizable. Though a lot of Dutchies also "speak" english, a lot don't speak it in a reasonable level anyhow. A big nuisance when a non-native english person tries to understand a Dutchie. I translated a lot of times now..

You speek verry god england.

[Wouter Melissen]

I think english is taught in schools as a compulsary second language, iirc (I'll leave it for the Dutchies to confirm)

Another big reason is that English movies and TV programs are not dubbed, but subtitled. That helps to get even the youngest familiar with the language. Ultimatecarpage.com would not have been possible without Inspector Gadget and The Transformers.

[henk4]

I have been giving courses in the UK for people from all over the world. Once the comment came that my English was much better understandable than that spoken by the native english speakers, who also delivered courses....

[henk4]

Ultimatecarpage.com would not have been possible without Inspector Gadget and The Transformers.

Inspector Gadget, me?

[Wouter Melissen]

Inspector Gadget, me?

Do you have a propeller in your head?

[henk4]

Do you have a propeller in your head?that would explain the spinning I regularly note

[Cyco]

I can say the English spoken by the founders of UCP is among the best I encountered in NL, but by no means was it a stand out.

Even in smaller towns there was some understanding in most places, and I picked up enough to get buy with the shopping and the like fairly quickly (can't say I have held onto it though).

One of the more interesting things I noted was that it was American English that was often spoken (not just in NL, but Europe generally), not the variety of their neighbour, as W's TV/Movie influence will attest.

[Matra et Alpine]

Intrigued, Cyco, how you determiend it was "American English" :) as I doubt if you came to the UK now you'd be hard pressed to seperate American from English in many cases.

Anyway, English is VERY good in the Netherlands in general.
For all the reasons already given.

When trying to integrate it is difficult in the transition from thinking you can speak the language to being able to. The former means others treat you as if you are the latter.
THe first thign I always say in any language I'm trying to use is "I'm Scottish but I try to speak ...wateva... OK ?"

[blingbling]

all the best trance music (and therefore, dutch) have vocals in english. i've always wondered if this ticked off the nationals

[dydzi]

it is said that dutch teens know english better than their american peers

[henk4]

it is said that dutch teens know english better than their american peers

do you see that as an achievement?;)

[jorismo]

Another big reason is that English movies and TV programs are not dubbed, but subtitled. That helps to get even the youngest familiar with the language. Ultimatecarpage.com would not have been possible without Inspector Gadget and The Transformers.

I think that's one of the main reasons. There are a lot of sentences that you hear in movies or TV shows that you can use in a normal conversation. And when hearing those sentences or words about a dozen times a day (since most of the kids watch too much TV these days), really is a stimulation.

Other than that, I think that the education of English is very good in the Netherlands.

[Rockefella]

it is said that dutch teens know english better than their american peers

I will pwn a Dutch teens English so hard he'll go home crying and singing the Star Spangled Banner.

[Matra et Alpine]

The structure, spelling and grammar in that sentence disproves your assertion, Rocke :)

[Kitdy]

The structure, spelling and grammar in that sentence disproves your assertion, Rocke :)

That was very ironic, eh?

We speak proper English here in Canada - use of eh's and aboots and hosers abound.

[Type17]

That was very ironic, eh?

We speak proper English here in Canada - use of eh's and aboots and hosers abound.

Ya' hoser.

[kingofthering]

it is said that dutch teens know english better than their american peers

Aw hell naw, bitch. Me and my homies gonna beat you and your ass. Because we have "no disregard for human life*"

*Someone actually said that in class. And we're the 54th best school in the nation. GOD BLESS AMERICA! :D

[Cyco]

Intrigued, Cyco, how you determiend it was "American English" :) as I doubt if you came to the UK now you'd be hard pressed to seperate American from English in many cases.

The accent, and the overuse of the word 'like'.

Though the later is (horribly) gaining ground in the UK and here.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

like, you know, get over it already.

Gosh.

[nota]

The accent, and the overuse of the word 'like'.

Though the later is (horribly) gaining ground in the UK and here.
Last season during an international Cricket telecast I just about fell off my chair when I heard not one but two of the Channel 9 commentators repeatedly urge our batsmen to "step up to the plate"


Mate I could barely believe it - talk about a cultural sell out! To add final insult to injury they did it during a Test Match too :mad:

[blingbling]

The structure, spelling and grammar in that sentence disproves your assertion, Rocke :)wat about pwnctuation?! :O