How to master Dutch pronunciation?

Do you ever struggle to pronounce Scheveningen? How about verschrikkelijk, giechelen, or herinneren?

Dutch is certainly well-known for its tricky sounds.. Though pronunciation remains a challenging part of language learning, the main goal for most adult learners is actually independence in everyday life. Therefore, you don’t need to strive to sound like a native, but rather to be easily understood by your neighbour, the cashier at the supermarket, or your child’s teachers.

SOUNDS

Like all languages, Dutch comprises consonants and (a rich inventory of) vowels. If you ask a Dutch person how many vowels there are exactly, you may be surprised by the diversity of answers. Your native speaker friends might say five or ten; linguists might say sixteen or twenty and dive into further explanations on monophthongs – sounds consisting of one vowel – and diphthongs, sounds that glide from one vowel to another (compare toon with tuin). Dutch consonants seem much more approachable, perhaps with the exception of the (in)famous g and some long consonant clusters, like in herfst or angstigst.

STRESS

Every word has a stressed syllable: longer, louder, and higher pitched than other syllables. The most important words in a sentence receive sentence stress as well. Awareness of stress will help you mimic the rhythm of Dutch sentences. This is an often-overlooked component of language learning, but it significantly influences whether someone will be able to easily understand you.

FLOW

Although sentences include a number of words, we don’t separate them by silence gaps –  words and sentences flow together. This natural language flow may at first confuse learners. However, when you’re comfortable with the basics, work on connected speech will bring you to a new level of fluency.

TIPS FOR INDEPENDENT PRACTICE

• When learning new words, always check which syllable carries the word stress.
• Listen to as much Dutch as possible. Repeat sentences you have heard, focusing on the imitation of sounds and rhythm.

• Create minimal pairs: two words that differ only by one sound (man/maan, oud/uit, gaan/haan). Try to hear the difference between these words and imitate each to practice clear pronunciation.

   

ATTEND A FREE WORKSHOP AT KICKSTART SCHOOL

In the free workshop about Dutch pronunciation at Kickstart School, we'll go through the basics of Dutch pronunciation, practise with articulation and help you lay the foundations for further practice. All Dutch learners are welcome (basic knowledge of Dutch is advisable).

Article by Kickstart School