On the Subtle Distinction Between Syllables: Part 1

In as much as Highland English is often perceived as confusing and garbled by the average American, such is the case with Flemish spoken in Zwevegem versus that in Antwerp or Gent. Learning a new language is difficult enough, but there is something particularly confounding about wading through no less than eight regional Dutch dialects, some strongly influenced by German and French. At least San Diego and the Outer Hebrides can claim to be in different countries 12,000 miles apart. Zwevegem is in the adjacent county to Gent.

It wasn’t a huge surprise to see that the Hollandic Dutch we spent a few months reviewing (with a native of Amsterdam) was so dissimilar from Flemish. It was, however, surprising to learn that Flemish dialects vary even more amongst themselves. When I worked for two weeks in and near Eindhoven, even in Flemish Limburgh I could hear the “Limburgh” dialect- strikingly more similar to the Brabantian and Hollandic dialects than anything I’ve yet heard in West Flanders (even if spoken somewhat slower). It sounded more like what I’d heard before moving to Belgium.

The complications stem partly from the fact that French is scattered in many of the Flemish dialects and regions, and partly because of enunciation particulars. My biggest problem is the lack of distinction between syllables that largely permeates most Flemish dialects. I believe Judi already mentioned the “heen en terug” moment, where I asked for a ticket “heen en terug” (return trip) at the counter. I received a blank look as a reward for my painstakingly crisp interpretation of Hollandic pronunciation. Finally, the lady at the counter asked “Ah, hn’tr’h?” in a heartbeat. Apparently you need to sort of slur the term and say it really, really fast if you want to be understood at the Kortrijk train station. It kind of complicates the process when people say things you would have understood on paper, but can’t understand when spoken (most Dutch and Flemish dialects are nearly indistinguishable in written form). In that return ticket sentence, I know now I should have gone softer on the “G” as well, which the Flemish either pronounce a “G” as an “H”, or gargle it, depending on the phrase.

With no offense to Flemish people, I must say it sounds a bit as though they take a Dutch sentence, soften the “G” to an “H”, and gargle the rest if it quite fast. I have nothing against gargling. The running joke in Belgium is that Dutch has a “G” and “H”, while Flemish has a “hoog “H” en laag “H”. (The up “H“and down “H”- referring to the letters hg). For reference, Hollandic Dutch scratches the “G” in the throat. My co-worker, Ric here, is now laughing and telling me that “Flemish people like to be quick and to the point. The people from Holland sound like they want to sing to you.”

The eight main Dutch dialacts:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Dutchdialectpic.PNG