In many countries the dawning of a new year means drafting a long list of New Year's resolutions, most of which date from the preceding year. 'No, no, no' protests the reader, 'this year it will be different.' 'Ja, ja, ja,' responds the writer.
One New Year's resolution that foreign friends find fetching is to learn Dutch. When a foreigner first arrives in the Netherlands, it is tempting to speak English. For months one can get by on rudimentary Dutch ('Dank je wel' and 'Dag'), using English to fill in the gaps at most professional, social, and shopping occasions. This strategy is recommended for people staying fewer than six months. However, as any international member of the Universiteit Twente can attest, if a stay exceeds six months, ignorance of the Dutch language becomes isolating. Speaking the language is essential to joining the Dutch community.
These foreign friends may have resolved to undertake the same linguistic mission last year, but do not find fault with them too quickly. Learning Dutch in the Netherlands is not as simple as it seems. When addressed in halting Dutch, many shopkeepers respond immediately in English or in German. The non-native speakers who are already mortified by their lingual ineptitude also revert to English or German, relieved not to prolong the struggle. As time goes on, however, those foreigners, who are trying with great courage to master a language that so closely resembles a cat retching up a hairball, become annoyed and frustrated when each attempt is thwarted by well-intentioned but ultimately defeatist interlocutors.
To international members of the UT community: persevere, do not give up on that pesky language. To native Dutch speakers: encourage foreign acquaintances by speaking slow, simple Dutch with them. To both groups: resist the urge to resort to English as soon as one word is misunderstood.
For those readers who resolve to master Dutch in 2002, you may seek further information on language courses at the Volksuniversiteit Enschede at 053.432.3304 and on Dutch courses offered by the International Office http://intoffice.utwente.nl/english/campus/courses.html
Succes!
