tussentaal

Tussentaal, literally “in-between language,” is a Dutch sociolinguistic term for a form of spoken Dutch that lies between the standard language (Algemeen Nederlands) and regional dialects or vernacular speech. It is not a separate language; rather, it is a sociolect or register used in informal communication. The concept arose in sociolinguistic work in the late 20th century as researchers noted a distinct mode of speaking that blends standard Dutch with dialectal features, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

Linguistically, tussentaal features deviations from standard Dutch in pronunciation, lexicon, and grammar. Speakers mix standard forms with regional or vernacular elements, and the speech may include discourse markers, fillers, and simplified sentence structures. There can be borrowing or calques from dialects, as well as nonstandard verb forms or word choices that reflect local speech patterns. The exact mix varies by region, speaker group, and context, making tussentaal a fluid phenomenon rather than a fixed variety.

Usage and social meaning vary. Tussentaal is commonly used in everyday conversations, particularly among younger and urban speakers, and in informal settings. Attitudes toward tussentaal range from viewing it as a natural, identity-sharing form of speech to stigmatizing it as informal or nonstandard. In education and media, standard Dutch remains the prestige form, while tussentaal is recognized as an important part of language variation and change within Dutch-speaking communities.