It is often remarked that while the Flemish can and are willing to speak foreign languages like English and French, their French-speaking counterparts are not as ready to do so. The latter are sometimes described as, to coin a term, “nederlandophobes” or people who have negative attitudes towards the Dutch language. But not everyone knows that there are francophones who have decided to improve their Dutch and to follow courses at the university in that language. The Voice interviewed one of these highly-motivated individuals—in Dutch of course! Here is an English translation of our conversation with Isabelle Buisseret.

The Voice - Where do you come from?

Buisseret: Brussels. Actually, I don’t live in a commune of Brussels but just outside in a faciliteitengemeente.

 

The Voice - Why did you decide to learn Dutch?

Buisseret: I’ve always been frustrated before with not understanding the other language of my country. And it’s fun to be able to speak different languages. I told myself I’d like to learn a new language that I can use everyday in Belgium or at least in Flanders and Brussels.

 

The Voice - But you did learn Dutch in school?

Buisseret: I went to a European school so the first foreign language I learned was English. I had Dutch too for four years but it wasn’t that good. I couldn’t speak Dutch after high school. Then I went to the Université Libre de Bruxelles and there I always spoke French. But after my studies I wanted to learn a new language and get to know another culture before I start working.

 

The Voice - How did you find Dutch then, in high school?

Buisseret: It didn’t sound that pleasant to me. But you see, maybe it was because I didn’t understand it then. But now, I enjoy speaking in this language. I also like its logic. It’s so different from French... I find things like separable verbs and the subclause interesting.

 

The Voice - When did you start your Dutch language courses here in Leuven?

Buisseret: In August 2009. I did the intensive summer course at the ILT. It helped me a lot especially because nobody in that class could speak French. There was for example a boy from Iraq and a girl from Serbia. So I was forced to speak Dutch.

 

The Voice - Was it difficult in the beginning?

Buisseret: At first I thought my level of proficiency wasn’t that bad. But in September I arrived at my residence and I saw that there was a difference between the Dutch of foreign-language speakers and that of native-speakers. So it was really difficult. And probably also because of the political problems between the two language communities, I didn’t always feel at ease. I was thinking then “Maybe they wouldn’t want to get to know me because I speak French speaking.” But I haven’t met this kind of problem. It was more the opposite. My flatmates were curious to know a French-speaking girl.

 

The Voice - And didn’t they switch to English then when you try to talk to them in Dutch?

Buisseret: Yes, that happened a lot at first. But I think it was not because of my defective Dutch but only because they are used to speak English with non-native Dutch speakers. They do that out of habit. But even when that happened, I always answered in Dutch. But now they speak to me always in Dutch.

 

The Voice - How do you find the Flemish?

Buisseret: A lot of people have asked me, “Are they welcoming?” Yes! Every Flemish person I know is friendly. And they are glad that I make the effort to learn their language and they help me too. As I said, in September it was hard for me but the girls on my floor have been a great help.

 

The Voice - Do you feel that you are more confident now to speak Dutch?

Buisseret: Before August, I never dared to speak Dutch. But now, I have more courage to use it. I think I’m more confident when I speak with non-native speakers than with native-speakers. They speak fast and they have a broader vocabulary. I think that the level of my Dutch decreases with them because I must pay more attention to their words and I feel more uncomfortable because of their “perfect” Dutch. Foreign-language speakers are making errors too and it gives me confidence.

 

The Voice - What do you do to improve your Dutch?

Buisseret: I’m trying to take every opportunity to speak a maximum and also to read a lot. I read the newspaper in Dutch - not in its entirety, but one or two articles every day. And thrillers or novels. You begin and you get into the story and it goes rather fast even if you don’t understand every word. That works for me. I have also seen a lot of Flemish movies on DVD, like De Zaak Alzheimer, Loft and De Indringer. I watch the Flemish news too, every day on the internet.

 

The Voice - Do you think you’ve made a lot of progress?

Buisseret: Yes, I’m sure of it. Last year, I listened to the radio or watched TV and I understood nothing. It used to take me two hours to read a short newspaper article. Now, I don’t understand everything for sure, and it remains difficult for me but I can read an article with more ease.

 

The Voice - You’ve been following courses in Dutch at the university?

Buisseret: I’m following some courses here in Dutch from different study branches. I’ve made sure that the course material is in Dutch - and not in English - and that the content is interesting for the learning of a language. These classes concern more courses in relation with Human Sciences (psychology, history, political science, etc.). Learning something in Dutch is an active way to practice the language.

I also have 14 hours of Dutch every week: level six Dutch, a two-hour conversation class, both at the ILT, and also another conversation class at the CVO. I also have a writing skills module that I do online 4 hours a week.

 

The Voice - How does your family see what you’re doing?

Buisseret: They think it’s really interesting to learn a new language, to get to know new people. My father even said to me once, “I would have done that too in my youth.” And you see when I was at university in Brussels I lived at my parent’s home. I simply took the bus to the university. I didn’t have a real student life. But here I have a year living in my own kot. I think it’s an interesting transition before working. |