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Flemish language

Flemish language

7.7
A form of Dutch spoken in northern Belgium
  • noun
translation icon : lengua flamenca
  • The Flemish language is widely spoken in the northern part of Belgium.

Examples

  • Many Belgians in Flanders use the Flemish language at home and in schools.

  • She is fluent in both French and the Flemish language.

  • Many people in Belgium speak the Flemish language.

  • Is Flemish language different from Dutch?

  • Many Belgians in Flanders use the Flemish language at home and in schools.

  • She is fluent in both French and the Flemish language.

  • The Flemish language is widely spoken in the northern part of Belgium.

Synonyms

Flemish
vsFlemish language
1 6.7

A form of Dutch spoken in northern Belgium

is presented more generally as spoken across Belgium rather than in the north
Flemish dialect
vsFlemish language
9.0

A form of Dutch spoken in northern Belgium

is presented more generally as spoken across Belgium rather than in the north

Surface Forms

Morphology

Flemish + language

The meaning is directly compositional: 'Flemish' names the language variety and 'language' denotes a spoken/written system, so together they mean 'the language called Flemish'. This is a straightforward adjective+noun/compound pattern common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

Flemish language gets its name from the people of Flanders, the northern part of Belgium, who spoke a local form of speech. Because those people used a local form of 'Dutch', Flemish language came to mean the version of 'Dutch' spoken in Belgium today.