I Am Dutch

I am Danish and I have noticed that many Americans but also other English speaking people belive that Dutch is the language spoken in Denmark.
This can be a little annoying for a Dane but I wonder how a Dutch person feels about so many people believing that her language is the language of another country than the Netherlands.

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Whazzupdude

As a Dutchman, I never heared that. In the world there is confusion that the Dutch speak Dutch, and that is not Deutsch (German). I speak both, so no problem.

Whazzupdude

Och jag kan tålar lite Svenska, men det är inte enligt av Dansk.

karinaal · 70-79, F

Skånsk er vel egentlig en dansk dialekt?

Whazzupdude

Jag inte vet, du är Dansk. Jag är Nederlansk 😉

karinaal · 70-79, F

Kay Xander Mellish is an Americn female jounalist who since 2000 has lived, worked and brought up her daughter in Denmark. She has a blog called How to live in Denmark – A humorous guide for foreigners and their Danish friends.
Here is a small extract of what she has written in her blog:

“I run a small business, so often I outsource minor tasks. This week I outsourced the writing of some Tweets to Jessie, a college student in the United States.
Jessie did a good job, with one major exception: in all 100 Tweets, she confused the word Danish with the word Dutch.
For example:
Copenhagen Fashion Week – Check out the latest in Dutch fashion!
Stay healthy like the Dutch: Bicycling in Denmark
10 top restaurants in Copenhagen: Enjoy Dutch cuisine!
Now, don’t give me that stereotype about geographically dumb Americans. At least not until Europeans can tell me the difference between Iowa, Idaho and Ohio – and yes, there is a difference.
Understandable confusion
The fact is, confusing the Dutch and the Danes is understandable. They both represent small, peaceful countries with seafaring traditions. Countries which are today best known for healthy blond people on bicycles, rushing home to see their monarchs on TV and eat potato-based dishes.
The Dutch are known for their windmills. The Danes are known for their wind turbines. It’s an understandable mistake. “

Whazzupdude

Even the commercial license plates looks like Dutch license plates!

karinaal · 70-79, F

@Whazzupdude:There is something you have misunderstood so let me make it clear that it is the Dutch license plates that looks like Danish license plates!

Whazzupdude

Only the 'gulplåter' on commercial vehicles.

karinaal · 70-79, F

@Whazzupdude: Yes, but it is still the Dutch that pretend to be danish.

Whazzupdude

I don't think it is of any use to discuss that, cause I don't know since when the Danes have yellow plates, we have them since 1978. I do know that people from the north province Friesland and Danes can understand each other very well.