mondelinge

Mondelinge is a Dutch term used as an adjective to denote anything related to spoken language or delivered verbally. In practice it commonly appears in educational and linguistic contexts.

In education, mondelinge describes assessments conducted through speech rather than writing. A mondeling examen or mondelinge toets involves answering questions, presenting ideas, or engaging in a discussion with an examiner. Formats vary by institution and level, and components can include oral presentations, questioning, or interactive dialogue. Evaluation typically considers clarity, fluency, accuracy, reasoning, and engagement, alongside pronunciation and listening comprehension.

In linguistics and language use, mondelinge refers to features of spoken language, such as pronunciation, intonation, rhythm, discourse structure, and pragmatics. This contrasts with schriftelijke, which pertains to written language. The term is often used in discussions of language proficiency, language teaching, and discourse analysis to highlight the differences between oral and written modes of communication. While mondelinge is most commonly found in phrases like mondeling examen or mondelinge toets, the standalone noun form is less frequent.

Etymologically, mondelinge derives from mond (mouth) with a suffix that forms adjectives related to a mouth-based or spoken function; it is closely related to the English word oral. The usage reflects the distinction between spoken and written forms in Dutch education and linguistics.

See also: schriftelijk, examen, toets, taal, mondelinge communicatie.