Page 1 of 1
Basic Language Questions
Posted: Tue 25th Apr 2006 11:13 pm
by GroverDill
Hi
Posted: Wed 26th Apr 2006 11:29 am
by Doog
You are pretty much spot on with point number one about straat and plein meaning street and square/place.
Secondly, my experience of foreign language use has taught me never to mix English in when you don't know how to say the word/phrase in the language of the country that you are in.
People can spot a mile away that you are not from their country just by your accent when you start speaking (even if you use their language). I have been to Spain several times and I have asked for things in Spanish but the replies have come back in English and I suppose this would be the same in other countries.
Perhaps you would go to a place and ask something in Dutch and then the person replies in Dutch and you don't have a scooby doo what they're on about!
So, unless you have a REALLY good knowledge of the language before you go then I would just stick to using English. That way you won't get caught out.
answers
Posted: Wed 26th Apr 2006 04:58 pm
by Firefly315
Hoi ,
Hoe gaat het met jou?
(De or het) plein = square
It’s not splein with an s in front. Leidseplein, Waterlooplein, etc…
De straat = street
Does anyone know if “plein” takes the definite article “de” or “het” in Dutch?
I tried to speak Dutch to Dutch people in Amsterdam after I had been studying the language for 3 months, and they responded in English. However, if you can find someone online with whom to speak Dutch and decide to meet up in Amsterdam to speak Dutch, then I’ll bet you’ll luck out. I have been studying for 13 months now, so my pronunciation is getting better. Next time, someone better speak to me in Dutch, especially if I’m just asking something simple.
I really hope so!
Ik hoop dat deze je helpen!
Groetjes,
Cathleen
Posted: Wed 26th Apr 2006 05:18 pm
by Stygian23
Learn to say, "I know my Dutch is elementary, but please speak to me in Dutch so I can practice." I don't see them having a problem with that. I did that when I visit my step-father's family in Mexico and had no problems. Most people will gladly talk to you in whatever language you ask them to.
Posted: Fri 28th Apr 2006 04:16 pm
by GroverDill
Thanks for the info guys. I appreciate it.
Posted: Mon 22nd Sep 2008 08:28 am
by the happy hacker
plein uses het as in op het plein in the square