BelgianDutch

Belgian Dutch, often referred to as Flemish, is the variety of the Dutch language spoken in Belgium. It is used by the Dutch-speaking community in the Flemish Region and in the bilingual Brussels-Capital Region, where Dutch functions as an official language in administration and education.

Belgian Dutch forms part of the Dutch language continuum and is mutually intelligible with Netherlandic Dutch, though it has its own pronunciation norms and regional vocabulary. The standard spelling and grammar are governed by the Dutch Language Union (Taalunie), which coordinates Dutch usage in the Netherlands and Flanders; Belgium applies these standards while also accommodating regional norms in education and media.

Belgian Dutch comprises regional varieties and dialects, including Brabantian, West Flemish, East Flemish, and Limburgish varieties in Belgian Limburg. In formal contexts, a codified Belgian variant of standard Dutch is used in schools and national media, while local dialects remain common in everyday speech.

Official status and institutions: Dutch is the official language of the Flemish Community and is used in administration, education, and public services in Flanders. The Brussels-Capital Region is officially bilingual, with Dutch and French both recognized, and Dutch used in certain administrative and public-facing functions.

Culture and media: Dutch-language media in Belgium include public broadcaster VRT and various newspapers and online outlets. Belgian Dutch has its own linguistic identity within the broader Dutch-speaking world, reflected in literature, television, education, and online media.