Flemish language facts for kids
Flemish is a way of speaking Dutch that is used in Belgium. It's mostly spoken in the northern part of Belgium, which is called Flanders. While Flemish is very similar to Dutch, it has some special words and a different way of pronouncing things.
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What is Flemish?
Flemish is not a completely separate language. Think of it more like a special version of Dutch. It's like how people in different parts of a country might speak the same language but with their own accents and a few unique words.
Where is Flemish Spoken?
Flemish is mainly spoken in Flanders, which is the northern region of Belgium. Dutch became the official language of this area in 1938. Many people in Belgium speak French too, especially in the southern part of the country.
How is Flemish Different from Dutch?
The biggest difference between Flemish and Dutch is how words are pronounced. People who speak Flemish often have a softer sound to their words compared to those who speak Dutch in the Netherlands. There are also some words that are used more often in Flemish than in Dutch, or words that mean slightly different things.
For example, a common word in Flemish might be different from the word used in the Netherlands for the same thing. But generally, someone who speaks Dutch can easily understand someone who speaks Flemish, and vice versa.
Related pages
Images for kids
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This map shows some historical dialects spoken in the Low Countries.
