Dutch Language: The Netherlands' Lingua Franca

Official Language and Widespread Use

Dutch, also known as Nederlands, is the predominant language of the Netherlands. Spoken and written by nearly the entire population, it serves as the nation's official language. Dutch is also recognized as the official language in several other countries, including Belgium, Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten.

West Germanic Origins and Global Reach

As a West Germanic language, Dutch shares linguistic similarities with English, German, and Afrikaans. It is spoken by approximately 25 million people worldwide as a first language, making it the third-most spoken Germanic language after English and German. Beyond the Netherlands, Dutch has significant communities of speakers in Belgium, Suriname, and various former Dutch colonies.