In general, how difficult is it for a native English speaking person to learn Dutch?

Question

And, if accents matter, it's someone coming from the southern U.S....how hard is dutch to learn?

Answer 1

I visited Amsterdam two years ago and I remember talking to a Dutch lady. She told me a bit about their school system and said that the children begin to learn English at a young age (fourth grade, I think.) The reason is, Dutch is difficult and not used too often around the world.
I personally have never tried to learn Dutch, but if it's something you want to do, go for it. It won't be a dead language anytime soon! But, as another language studier, accent isn't a main thing to focus on, but it's something to understand (like if, say, an Italian person is speaking English to you and he knows the words but pronounces them the Italian way-- you can understand, but it's a little difficult.), but have fun with it, too!

Answer 2

It is hard.

I am Dutch, and know several English native speakers who have learned my language.
Non of them learned to speak it without accent, a lower percentage than other foreigners got it to good. We have a couple of letters (sounds) you need to learn before you are about 12, and there are very few languages that have several of these.
Grammar is not all that difficult, but you need a good course and study it.
Vocabulary is near to German or the Scandinavian languages.

It does not matter which accent you have.
Unless you also speak Spanish, Scottish Gaelic and German. Dutch is hard to pronounce.

Besides, you will find it hard to get courses unless you live in the Netherlands.
And then you will find it hard to train your Dutch, as most Dutch speak English, and the rest at least understand it. They will automatically answer in English as soon as they hear your accent if they can.

I have an aunt who managed to live in the Netherlands for over 45 years and at no point in that time spoke Dutch fluent. (She is now getting worse rather than better, being 80.)

Answer 3

An English speaker will have an easier time learning Dutch than a romance language like Italian, French, Portuguese or Spanish since it is a Germanic language just like English but its vocabulary is extremely rich in Romance-based loanwords, also like English.

German speakers are probably those with the least difficulty to learn the language as German is extremely close to Dutch.

Accent is the one main problem and certainly the hardest aspect of the language, even for Germans.

So depending on your ability, it won't be easy but it won't be so hard either. But not many English speakers venture into learning Dutch.

Answer 4

Dear friend,
I went from Dutch to English.English and Dutch are closely related.However where English has derived a lot from latin Dutch did not. It all depends on how much you want to learn it.The pronounciation has much in common with Spanish a language which I use daily.

Answer 5

It is extra approximately perspective in the direction of language than challenge itself. If one thinks language studying feels complicated, then it fairly is so! Language studying must constantly be amusing for the learner, and it's primary to discover subjects that curiosity the learner. Memorising matters reminiscent of phrases/vocabulary and/or grammar laws is NEVER the fine method to be trained, as an alternative, use the language up to viable and in as many approaches as viable. In different phrases: Listen, learn, write, talk, speak, recognize, speak! Context is constantly your fine instructor!