Dutch dialectology

Abstract

Summary This paper presents an historical sketch of Dutch dialectology in a twofold perspective: the national perspective, in which dialectology is an integral part of the study of Dutch, and the international perspective, in which Dutch dialectology participates in international developments in the field. The period until 1880 has a clearly self-centered orientation; especially in the 19th century, dialects are viewed as a part of the national heritage. The German and French schools in linguistic geography are used as examples in the period of the emergence of scientific Dutch dialectology (1880–1930); after pioneering work at the turn of the century, it takes until the twenties before a good infrastructure for dialect research is built up. Two of the promotors from that period, Jac. van Ginneken (1877–1945) and Gesinus G. Kloeke (1887–1963), receive special attention for their remarkable sociolinguistic contributions to dialectology. The period 1930–1960 is one of consolidation and of fundamental reflections upon the history and the differentiation of Dutch, as can be seen from different types of studies (basic projects, regional dialect studies, diffusion studies, contact studies). The most recent period since 1960 again displays a more international character as is demonstrated with reference to structural, generative, and sociolinguistic dialect studies.