The Flemish language is used by five million people who live in northern Belgium (this part is called Flanders), as well as about 200 thousand in the French department of Nor. Refers to the German branch of the Indo-European family.
Those who speak Flemish
Flemings are closely related to the Dutch people. From the era of the Roman Empire to the XIV century, they gradually settled in their modern territory - the northern part of Belgium. Until the sixteenth century, the Flemish language was practically no different from the Dutch. The changes appeared after the separation of Holland and Belgium: one country gained independence and established Protestantism, while Catholicism and the rule of foreign power strengthened in the other. Thus, in the XVII-XVIII centuries, the Flemish language developed independently, without the intervention of the Dutch.
In 1830, the Kingdom of Belgium gained independence. Since then, the Flemings began to express their disagreement about the status of the Flemish, as it was still regarded as a local dialect. The adoption of this language as a normative literary was associated with some difficulties, since the wealthy and educated Flemings mainly spoke French.
History
The Flemish language, which is rather difficult to learn, since it has great differences in written and spoken language, has a rich and rather complicated history of development. At the end of the 19th century, the Belgian government consisted mainly of French-speaking Walloons. Since 1873, the Flemish has been the state language in Belgium on equal terms with French. At the end of World War II, there is a decline in the development of ferrous metallurgy and coal industry.
These events caused the Flemings, who at that time made up 55% of the population, a desire for changes in the political and primarily cultural sphere. In 1968, there was a conflict between the French and the Flemings on the basis of the University of Louvain: two groups of the population could not decide what language should be taught in this educational institution.
The result was a series of laws of the 1970s, with the help of which the linguistic border was established between the two countries, one of which should be used in all state institutions exclusively native language for the peoples of Flanders. The Flemish Council in charge of culture renamed it Dutch in 1973.
Current situation
In order to get a position in any government institution in Belgium, you must know two languages. It is about Flemish and, of course, French. The Walloons, in turn, are disgusted by the thought of learning a language spoken by only 22 million people, including the population living in the Netherlands. Flemings (especially those who hold public office), as a kind of revenge, deliberately refuse to speak French. As for the term “Flemish language”, in addition to its direct meaning, today it is often used as a collective name for the East and West Flemish dialects.
In the linguistic-border areas, you can find road signs in French and the name of the settlement in Dutch written below. This is due to the fact that many cities have two forms. Thus, if you plan to go to Mons from Flemish territory, then you are heading to Bergen, Liege - Luik, Namur - Namen and so on. And vice versa. Want to visit Mechelen? Then you know: the French name of this city sounds like Malin, Berne - Furne, Ieper - Ypres. It remains unclear why the state authorities cannot solve this comic and at the same time sad situation by installing bilingual road signs.
Specific traits
As for phonetics, the Flemish language differs from the Dutch language in a number of pronunciation features (for example, in the complete absence of a firm attack). The grammar is characterized by the sequential separation of the three genera with the help of personal pronouns. Also a distinctive feature of the Flemish language is the abundance of Gallicisms.
Dialects
There are four varieties of the Flemish language:
• Brabant dialects;
• East Flemish;
• West Flemish;
• Limburg.
The dialects of the last two groups are currently the most widely used in everyday speech among the population of the country and have the greatest number of differences from standard Dutch.
In Belgium, Limburg is still considered a dialect. Since 1997, in the Netherlands, it has been officially recognized as independent, both Dutch and Flemish. Where do they speak Limburg dialects? This is, first of all, the southeastern territory of the Netherlands, as well as the northeastern part of Belgium.
West Flemish dialects are used by people living in the west of Flanders. The wide distribution of this group is explained by the movement of local writers of the second half of the XIX century, which actively resisted the introduction of the standard Dutch language.
Flemish Community Holiday
This celebration falls on July 11th. In 1302, the famous Battle of Curtre between the Flemings and the French knights took place. The latter encroached on the territory of Flanders and its language. The Flemish people boldly defended their home country, organizing a militia of crossbowmen and archers. Flanders won an unconditional victory in this battle.
Still in modern Belgium, a holiday of a united Flemish community is celebrated. On this day, costume parades and theatrical performances are held, designed to remind citizens of the price of independence and their brave ancestors who fought for it.