Niederlandish

Niederländisch, commonly known as Dutch, is a West Germanic language primarily spoken in the Netherlands and Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium. It is the official language of both countries and is also recognized as a minority language in parts of France, Germany, and Suriname. With approximately 29 million native speakers worldwide, Dutch is the third most widely spoken Germanic language after German and English.

The origins of Dutch can be traced back to the Old Dutch language, which evolved from Proto-Germanic during the Migration Period. By the 12th century, Middle Dutch had emerged, serving as the foundation for the modern language. The Dutch language underwent significant standardization in the 16th century, influenced by the Protestant Reformation and the rise of the Dutch Republic. The Dutch Bible, first published in 1524, played a crucial role in shaping the language’s literary and religious traditions.

Dutch shares many similarities with other Germanic languages, particularly English and German, due to historical linguistic developments. However, it has distinct phonetic features, such as the use of the "u" sound (as in "huis" for "house") and a relatively straightforward grammar compared to German. The language is written using the Latin alphabet, supplemented by the digraphs *ij* and *ij* (representing the phoneme /ɛi/), as well as the letters *c*, *q*, *w*, *x*, *y*, and *z*, which are used in loanwords.

Dutch has a rich literary tradition, with notable figures including the 17th-century poet and playwright Joost van den Vondel and the 20th-century author Harry Mulisch. The language is also widely used in media, education, and international business, particularly within the European Union. Efforts to preserve and promote Dutch include cultural exchanges, language learning initiatives, and the establishment of institutions like the Dutch Language Union (*Taalunie*), which collaborates with Flemish authorities to standardize and promote the language.