nlBE

nlBE is the IETF language tag used to denote Dutch as it is used in Belgium. It corresponds to the Belgian variant of Dutch, often associated with Flemish. While it is linguistically part of the same West Germanic language family as Dutch spoken in the Netherlands, nlBE reflects regional differences in vocabulary and usage that arise from Belgium’s linguistic landscape.

Geographically, Dutch is an official language in Belgium and is predominantly spoken in Flanders and, to a lesser extent, in Brussels. The Belgian Dutch standard is managed within the framework of Dutch language policy, with influences from French in bilingual contexts and regional speech varieties, collectively referred to as Flemish. The term Flemish is commonly used to describe the spoken variety in Belgium, though it is not a separate language.

In terms of standardization, the Belgian variant generally follows the spelling and grammar guidelines maintained by the Dutch Language Union, with locale-specific vocabulary differences that have developed over time. The core grammar and orthography remain aligned with Dutch, allowing mutual intelligibility with nl-NL while accommodating Belgian usage.

In computing and content localization, nlBE (nl-BE) is used as a locale identifier to tailor text, formatting, and data presentation to Belgian Dutch conventions. This includes appropriate date and number formats and currency handling (Euro), as well as regionally preferred translations and term choices.

See also: Dutch language, Flemish, Dutch Language Union, language localization, language codes.