Dutch Accents

Are you learning Dutch as a second language? If so, and are you an English speaker, you probably find it somewhat of a challenge to master Dutch accents. While the Dutch alphabet is made up of the same 26 letters as the English alphabet, the way in which some of these letters are pronounced will be quite different than you are accustomed to.

A great way to develop your Dutch accent is to use a combined approach. In other words, in addition to reading Dutch words, it is just as important to listen to and speak the language. This will improve your phonology skills, or the way that you speak Dutch words.

The consonant “R” is a good example of how pronouncing Dutch can be difficult. In American English, pronouncing the “R” does not require you to touch your tongue to any part of your mouth. To pronounce the Dutch “R,” your tongue will need to hit the roof of your mouth right behind your teeth. To gain a better understanding of how this sounds, listen to a Dutch language podcast or other audio language aid. Then, practice making this sound on your own. Learning Dutch accents by listening to a native speaker and then mimicking this accent is an effective way to improve your speaking skills.

Working on your Dutch pronunciation will ensure that your accent is much easier for native speakers to understand. While the task may seem daunting at first, it’s all about building upon each skill that you learn. Begin with correctly pronouncing the alphabet, then begin taking on commonly used words and phrases. Be sure to listen to the language as much as possible so that you can hone your pronunciation skills. Watch Dutch movies and television shows, and listen to Dutch podcasts geared toward those interested in learning the language. This way, you’ll be able to learn Dutch accents much more quickly.

As you learn how to speak Dutch, you will pick up on subtle pronunciation differences and will be able to emulate these differences more effectively. The more that you practice, the more rewarding the learning process will become. While taking on the Dutch language is certainly not an easy task, the most satisfying things in life are usually the things that we work the hardest for. Arming yourself with innovative Dutch language learning tools will ensure that you learn Dutch as efficiently as possible while having a blast along the way.