To Learn Dutch or Not To Learn Dutch That is the Question

Move to a new country learn the language- well at least thats what logic dictates. But 6 months in apart from learning a few words from repetetive TV ads and trips to the supermarket I havent learnt much and the fact that almost eveybody seems to speak near-perfect English is hardley an incentive to learn.

I've posited this question of mine to lots of people, theres the pro-learning camp (comprised of Dutch folk) and the anti-learning camp (almost everyone who isnt Dutch) the main arguments are as follows:

Pro Camp: Ducth is not only the official spoken language of The Netherlands but also Belgium, Suriname, Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, and also spoken in Suuth Africa so you can holiday there and communicate with your newfound language skills.

Anti Camp: Oh Dutch is an Ugly Language its worse than German and its completely pointless they all speak English anyway (ah the English language superiority complex, dont you just love it? I remember getting a D for French was considered quite an accomplishment).

I dont know which argument is more compelling... though i wouldnt necessarily learn Dutch to holiday in countires that ive never heard of (Curacao? Suriname? Aruba?) it may beneficial as an integrative tool. Understanding the native Language is never a bad thing, however the more i explore and speak with people here, the more i realise its a luxury one can foregoe.

Additionally, learning a new language can be tedious at first and requires real effort and interest. Ive added a free lesson in Dutch vowl lesson so you know what i mean. Have fun.

VOWEL SOUNDS

Cheese Market - Alkmaar Holland

1. a- (short a-: between `duck’ and `dock’. The a- is found in words such as pak (parcel, suit), and plat (flat).
Exercise 1. Practice the a-sound in the following words by reading them aloud: plat, kranten, dag, zakken, pak, vast, wal, klap, ratten, gat.

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