Dutch vs. Flemish: Does it matter for beginners?

You want to study Dutch but you’ve heard that there’s also Flemish and that that’s kind of like a different language and now you don’t know where to start? I have your back because in this video I’ll be busting some myths and explain why the difference between standardized variations of Belgian Dutch and Netherlandic Dutch really don’t matter all that much for beginners. Ultimately, the gist is that on a standardized level, you’ll be understood both in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Check out our previous video on the main differences between Belgian Dutch and Netherlandic Dutch here, which is a video for more intermediate students: • Flemish Dutch vs. Dutc...
If you’re interested in learning more about the differences between Netherlandic Dutch and Belgian Dutch and the cultural differences between the Netherlands and Belgium, then check out our easy Dutch videos where we interview people on the streets and ask for their opinions about these topics:
Nederlands vs. Vlaams: • Flemish Dutch vs. Dutc...
Nederland vs. België:
Finally, some Belgian Dutch coursebooks… I don’t mean to discriminate Netherlandic Dutch or promote Belgian Dutch, but I’m just explicitly mentioning some course books and material here because I know how difficult it can be for students to find good study material in Belgian Dutch. The standard is however that most coursebooks and online material are in Netherlandic Dutch.
A1 - Vanzelfsprekend (check out my review of that book here: • Best study books to le... )
A2 - Niet Vanzelfsprekend
B1 - Nederlands voor gevorderde anderstaligen Tekstboek 1
B2 - Nederlands voor gevorderde anderstaligen Tekstboek 2
The editor from where you can buy them: www.acco.be/nl-be
Other sources for spoken Flemish & Belgian Dutch material:
www.nedbox.be
www.vrt.nu
App Uitsprekend:
play.google.com/store/apps/de...
Source of the graphic (adapted): nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bestand...
Note: This is a new and hopefully improved version of a video I made in 2018. :-)
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[@joalexsg9741]

Dank u wel, Nout. I'm almost finishing my introductory course on Dutch by the Groningen University through the Future Learn Platform and your videos have helped me with my questions about that cause I way prefer the softer pronunciation of Flemish but, in some aspects, I also like the pronunciation of certain sounds in Netherlands Dutch. I don´t know if I pronounce the subtle difference of the phonemes represented by 'w' and 'v' in Dutch but I try to get as close as I can and as long as people understand me, it´s ok for me. I'm really relieved that Flemings pronounce their 'g's an 'ch's much softer though:-) We´re lucky to have teachers like you giving all this info for free on your channel.

[@speerboom]

Being Dutch, I personally agree completely with Nout. As long as people speak standarized Dutch (whether it’s the Netherlandic or Belgian variety) there’s not any problem communicating, except for a few differences in vocabulary and one or two grammatical differences (Het is beginnen te regenen (NL) het is beginnen regenen (B) is one of them I believe). Regional accents don’t really matter that much. Regional dialects is a whole different story though. Those can be a real mindfuck if you’re not familiar with a particular dialect and both the Netherlands and Belgium have plenty of those. However it’s rare to encounter someone who doesn’t speak standarized Netherlandic/Belgian Dutch, albeit with a strong accent in some cases.

[@joalexsg9741]

Dank je wel for your comment, it helps me to have more insight on these differences too.

[@TheBlackHandElite]

"Het is beginnen regenen" in Flemish*

[@speerboom]

@@TheBlackHandElite Thank you. I made a correction.

[@eyupcoskun6541]

Kunt u alstublieft een video maken dat over passive voice gaat ? Vielen bedankt kameraad!

[@veebydefaultcrochet2119]

Thank you so much, your videos are incredibly insightful and helpful.

[@radoslawfelczak7299]

Thank you Sir.

[@MultiRamaan]

Dank u wel!

[@narantsetseglhagvasvren6514]

Heerlijk bedankt ☺️ Nout...!!

[@miguellessaf]

Dankjewel Nout! What are the books that you recommend to intermediate students? I already have some for beginners and I can't find affordable options when it comes to more advanced books once learning dutch is not common where I live. Thanks for the videos, they help me a lot.

[@fivantvcs9055]

Hoi! I've studied Dutch two years (and when I've been to Antwerp, having learning Netherlands Dutch, it was tough, indeed, to me , as a non native Neerlandophone) and I'm beginning Afrikaans, I have some intuitions that this language but also Zelandised and Brabantised form of the Dutch language (+ the loanwords and some syntax to Khoi/San and Malay) can be a in-between the two main influences of Dutch: Belgian and Netherlands Dutch, no?

[@ArmArmAdv]

Het is inderdaad dezelfde taal.

[@thinking-ape6483]

Ik heb de video nog niet gekeken maar ik kan als buitenlander wel zeggen dat de vele accenten echt verwarrend kunnen zijn. Als moedertaalspreker kan je dat slecht beoordelen.

[@bruhmoment3834]

Ja. Ik ga akkoord. Ik zeg dat ik Vlaams studeer omdat ik meer bekend ben met het Antwerpse Vlaamse accent.