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Translations made easy!
Considering studying in the Netherlands?
Do you currently speak English, but need some work on your Dutch?
Never fear! It’s time to get a little linguistic here, and let’s
have a look at some of the words which shouldn’t pose any problems
in translation.
Many words in the English language come from a
Dutch origin: directly, through Middle Low German equivalents, or
via Afrikaans.
Some are related to maritime concepts, such as skipper, dock, keelhauling,
freight, pump and deck. Interestingly enough, we can also include
booze, brawl and brandy wine on this list! English speakers can
thank the Dutch wholeheartedly for the word ‘cookie’, a little less
rapturously for ‘coleslaw’, and can reflect on having new ways to
describe the natural panorama (‘iceberg’, ‘landscape’). Dutch influence
can be found in place names like Harlem and Coney Island.
Words like mannequin have reached English from
Flemish (manneken – “little man”) via the French language.
The spelling change occurs between the Flemish and French, but remains
the same in the French
English translation. Due to the 300-year Norman
Occupation of England, the French language infiltrated English
to an enormous extent. Figures state that as many as one-third of
English words are derived either directly or indirectly from French,
which certainly makes French
to English translation and English
to French translation favourable! Even if an English spe aker
has never studied French and thinks that they know nothing about
French
translation, the number of French words they could know is estimated
to be as high as 15,000.
It’s time to become fascinated by languages and
translations. Whether it’s English Dutch or English
French translations that catch your fancy, there is a wealth
of information out there for the eager learner. Find out more about
the origins of your language, and discover that learning a new language
is even easier!
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