“A River Runs Through It”: Crossing the Meuse in Batenburg (The Netherlands)

Abstract

The dialects spoken in the Dutch region Land van Maas en Waal, between the two rivers Meuse and Waal, are usually classified as a mixed dialect group exhibiting characteristics of the dialects of both Brabant and Gelderland. The perceptual map of the dialects paints a different picture as it shows a division between the speakers in the southern part of the region, who regard their dialect as more related to Brabant dialects, while speakers in the northern part feel more connected with the dialects spoken to the north of the Waal. The present paper attempts to explain this difference in perception by looking at the contacts the inhabitants of the small town of Batenburg had across the river. Materials used for this study include interviews with elderly people in Batenburg and data from the municipal archives.