Challenges to Learning Dutch
Learning Dutch is not an easy task. In fact, it is known for being one of the most challenging languages to learn. Here are some common obstacles expats face trying to understand and speak Dutch…
Learning any new language comes with challenges. If it didn’t, far more people would be multi-lingual. But what is it about the Dutch language in particular that makes it so difficult?
HURDLES WHEN LEARNING DUTCH
Here are some of the most common hurdles expats face according to Dutch language trainers…
1. Many letters of the alphabet are pronounced differently in Dutch than they are in English. For example, ‘A’ in English is pronounced ‘eh’ but in Dutch it is pronounced ‘ah’. Below is a chart showing the pronunciation of all 26 letters in English vs. Dutch. It is imperative that the student completely grasps the pronunciation of those letters which have a completely different sound in Dutch before attempting further training.
Dutch Alphabet Pronunciation
| LETTER | ENGLISH | DUTCH | LETTER | ENGLISH | DUTCH | |
| A | eh | ah | N | en | en | |
| B | bee | bay | O | oh | oh | |
| C | see | say | P | pee | pay | |
| D | dee | day | Q | cue | coo | |
| E | ee | eh | R | are | rrrl | |
| F | ef | ef | S | es | es | |
| G | gee | hay | T | tee | tay | |
| H | eych | ha | U | you | ooh | |
| I | eye | ee | V | vee | fey | |
| J | jay | yay | W | double-you | vay | |
| K | kay | ka | X | ex | icks | |
| L | el | el | Y / IJ | why | aye | |
| M | em | em | Z | zee | zed |
2. The pronunciation of the letter ‘G’ is by far the most difficult to master because it does not sound like anything in the English language. And unlike the sound of every other letter, which is made by the tongue and lips, the Dutch ‘G’ sound originates in the throat prior to reaching the mouth. This obstacle requires an infinite amount of practice.
3. Grammar can sometimes be different from English to Dutch. With English, sentence structure is commonly subject – verb – object (for example, ‘She closed the door’). In Dutch, it would be ‘Ze deed de deur dicht’ (i.e. subject – object – verb).
4. Filler words, such as hoor, wel, nou and er seem simple but can drastically change the meaning of a sentence based on the context it is used. As Serhat Sakarya, Director of the Taal Taal language institute in The Hague says, “sometimes a filler word can be left out of a sentence and the meaning doesn’t change, but at other times, it is the meaning.”
5. Because the Dutch like efficiency they typically compound words which would be separate in English. This leads to many long words having lots of letters, which can be off-putting when trying to learn the language. For example the single Dutch word “arbeidsongeschiktheidsverzekering” translates in English to “disability insurance”.
No where are long words more evident than in Dutch street names which combine a name with the type of road (e.g. “Haringpakkersstraat” which in English would be “Herring Packers Street”).
6. The last common hurdle for expats trying to learn Dutch is not getting enough practice. When a student tries to use the Dutch he/she is learning on a Dutch person, too often that person will reply in English. This can be frustrating for the learner since they are unable to tell whether their Dutch skills are improving. When this situation occurs, simply continue speaking Dutch and you’ll be able to determine if the other person is understanding what you are saying (whether they answer in English or Dutch).
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