Flanders

The community: Flemish language and culture

The standard language used in Flanders is almost the same as in the Netherlands, i.e., Dutch. The Dutch dialects spoken in Belgium are often referred together as Flemish. However, using Flemish to refer to a specific dialectic language may be confusing as there are many different Flemish dialects that are sometimes mutually incomprehensible.

Related Topics:
The Netherlands - Dutch - Flemish

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At first sight, Flemish culture is defined by its language and its gourmandic mentality. Some claim Flemish literature does not exist, because it is claimed to be 'readable' by both the Dutchmen as wel as Flemings, but this is a fallacy. A distinct Flemish literature already began in 19th century, with writers and poets as Guido Gezelle, whome not only explicitly refered to his writings as Flemish, but actually used it in many of his poems, and actually defended it:

Related Topics:
Language - Flemish literature - Guido Gezelle

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"Gij zegt dat ?t vlaamsch te niet zal gaan:

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?t en zal!

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dat ?t waalsch gezwets zal boven slaan:

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?t en zal!

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Dat hopen, dat begeren wij:

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dat zeggen en dat zweren wij:

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zoo lange als wij ons weren, wij:

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?t en zal, ?t en zal,

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?t en zal!"

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("You say Flemish will dissapear:

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It will not!

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that Walloonish rantings wil prevail:

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It will not!

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This we hope, this we crave:

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this we say and this we swear:

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as long as we defend ourselves, we:

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It will not, It will not,

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It will not!")

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This distinction in literature is also made by experts, such as Kris Humbeeck, professor in Literature of the University of Antwerp, as can be noted here.

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