I want to move to The Netherlands but only speak English; I have heard that all Dutch people speak fluent English
2006-08-24 20:24:17 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
i lived in the netherlands for a year. never spoke dutch. i tried but everytime i spoke to someone in dutch they replied in english. go for it.
2006-08-24 20:28:22 · answer #1 · answered by william 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The majority (not all) of the Dutch speak rather good or even fluent English, but if you plan on living there for a long time you should learn the language. You can get by with English without major problems, but you should adapt and try to learn the language. It will help you be more involved in everything in society and you'll understand better what's going on around you, plus it's just common sense that when you move to another country, you adapt to them and don't expect them to adapt to you.
2006-08-25 09:43:05 · answer #2 · answered by undir 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
New regulations say that if you want to live in Holland you have to speak Dutch.... But most people do speak English (not fluently but they understand you and you can understand them)
If you try to speak Dutch, people are talking back in English because it is a nice way to practice their foreign languages!!If you want to learn more about the "strange" habits of the Dutch, you have to read the book " the undutchables"
2006-08-25 09:02:30 · answer #3 · answered by vineto 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No but it sure helps. Especially with day to day things. Most Dutch (I would'nt say all) can speak and understand English more or less so I wouldn't fret about it too much. Anyway, after a while of living there, you will learn to speak it and noone will be able to tell the difference
Good luck
2006-08-25 03:38:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anon 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's always good to learn another language, especially one where you will be living in. Makes life easier. That you will be living there, am sure you will meet someone who speaks only Dutch. Noted your comment that all Dutch people speak fluent English (which I doubted).
2006-08-25 03:30:41 · answer #5 · answered by TK 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes most Dutch people speak/understand English. But it is always good for you to try to understand dutch, being among people not each situation is suitable (e.g. funeral) to translate into english. Speaking is a bit more difficult but not impossible.
2006-08-25 03:38:43 · answer #6 · answered by plie3824 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They do... those that don't understand you anyway. You can even have 8 year olds say literally: "One moment, I will get my mother. I don't speak English." Great fun.
If you plan of staying 'for ever' you will need to read it a lot. Some basic language skills are nice to have.
2006-08-25 03:30:41 · answer #7 · answered by Puppy Zwolle 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
'cause then you'll know what they're saying when the talk about you right in front of you. I'm not being sarcastic.
2006-08-25 03:30:25 · answer #8 · answered by sweets 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
then move to the U.K. !
2006-08-25 03:28:01 · answer #9 · answered by john john 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋