When preparing voiced recordings for a specific target audience, understanding the nuances of a language and its dialects is absolutely crucial, particularly if you want your message to be understood.
Rarely is this more apparent than when considering Dutch vs. Flemish.
People in both countries do speak the Dutch language, albeit in their own unique ways, and often simply referred to as Dutch or Flemish.
In the Netherlands, Standard Dutch is the national language.
Across the border in Belgium, there are three recognized national languages. These are Dutch, French, and German.
However, in the northern regions of Belgium, the Flemish dialect is the spoken version of the Standard Belgian Dutch language.
Based on our experience here at Voice Crafters, if you’re hiring voice artists for projects aimed at either country, we believe it’s important to know and understand the difference.
“Dutch language, a West Germanic language that is the national language of the Netherlands and, with French and German, one of the three official languages of Belgium. Although speakers of English usually call the language of Belgium “Flemish,” they are actually the same language.”
By reading this passage of text, one might naturally assume that Dutch and Flemish are the basically the same.
However, the Dutch language features a large variety of dialects within the Netherlands, just as it does within the Flemish-speaking regions of Belgium.
Each have been shaped by their varied geographical and political histories.
While the Dutch and Flemish do share many similarities, there are significant divergences in terms of pronunciation, vocabulary, and the formality of speech.
As Flemish voice actor Sarah V. explains:
Flemish Voice Talent Sarah V.
Often Belgian Voice Artists will be booked for projects in The Netherlands because those people think the Flemish accent ‘sounds cute’.
So, companies may sometimes use it as an advantage.
Otherwise, the Belgian people rarely want to hear the Dutch accent from the Netherlands in commercial ads.
Both will understand each other without any problem. Also, the writing is identical.
There are just different variants of dialect, pronunciation, and use of words.
I always explain to my clients that it’s the same kind of difference between American and British English or French and Canadian French.
Standard Dutch is the official language of the Netherlands, whereas Flemish is often referred to as Belgian Standard Dutch, spoken by around 60% of the population in Belgium.
Flemish is actually a collection of dialects that are spoken across the Flanders region of northern Belgium, just to the south of the Netherlands.
These can loosely be categorized as West Flemish, East Flemish, Brabantian dialects, and Limburgish dialects.
Even if you didn’t understand the language being spoken, you would immediately be able to tell the audible difference between one person speaking Dutch, and another person speaking Flemish.
This video provides a good example for listeners to discern the differences for themselves:
If you have keen ears, you will have quickly noted the variations in both pronunciation and vocabulary, which are two of the biggest differences between Dutch and Flemish.
Now, let’s take a closer look at those elements and more, focusing on the important divergences that set them apart.
Michaël L. explains:
Michaël L. – Dutch Voice Actor at Voice Crafters
One of the differences in Dutch and Flemish is the kind of directness Dutch people tend to have.
The communication is polite, but to the point and sometimes brutally honest.
Also for an outsider, Dutch may sound a bit harsher, whereas the Flemish has some French softness, which can also be heard in the more southern regions of the Netherlands.
When it comes to voice acting, I think Flemish is naturally softer and sweeter, and Dutch a bit bolder and more confident.
In the media for the last few years, there has been a movement happening where Flemish and Dutch accents are combined, for example, to create television programs for both Belgium and Dutch markets.
This not only happens in dubbing but also by selecting a mixed Belgium and Dutch cast for series or guests at talk show tables.
This trend makes Flemish and Dutch accents more well-known and accepted in both countries.
Easily the most notable vocal difference, there are contrasting sounds to how Dutch and Flemish speakers pronounce words and letters, particularly the audible vocalization of vowels and consonants.
Whereas the Dutch dialect places a sharper vocal emphasis on the articulation of certain sounds, akin to those of the German or English languages, the Flemish dialect is audibly softer and shares more pronunciation characteristics with the French language.
One of the most notably different pronunciation sounds, the letter ‘g’ in Dutch is audibly harsher and gurgling, as opposed to being smoother and softer in Flemish.
Another good example is the rolling ‘r’ sound in Flemish, vocalized from the front of the mouth.
By comparison, the ‘r’ sound is pronounced more like ‘arr’ from the back of the mouth in Dutch.
Vocabulary
When considering the differences between Dutch and Flemish vocabulary, we often see throwaway comments in language or translation articles, suggesting these variations are akin to those of British and American English.
Although it’s true that many of the same words and phrases are shared, there are also hundreds, if not thousands of words, that are completely different in both dialects and are not mutually intelligible.
Given the importance of meaning and context in voice over work, getting just a basic idea of the vocabulary differences is vital.
For example, ‘fakteur’ is a postman in Flemish, compared to ‘postbode’ in Dutch.
If you’re ‘curious’ you would say ‘curieus’ in Flemish and ‘nieuwsgierig’ in Dutch.
Even when some words appear the same, the context may be completely different.
Imagine talking about your ‘cousin’ and saying ‘kozijn’ in Flemish, only to discover that the same word is used for a ‘window frame’ in Dutch.
Formality
How you address people when speaking can have a lasting impression, therefore it’s important to do so in the right ways, whatever the language.
There’s also a notable difference in this regard between Dutch and Flemish.
In Dutch and the majority of cases these days, rarely is ‘U’ used to say ‘you’ in formal situations, as the informal ‘je’ tends to be used instead.
By contrast, most Flemish speakers retain ‘U’ to say ‘you’ in formal situations, believing that ‘je’ can sound impolite.
So, the formal way of saying ‘you’ in Flemish can actually sound old-fashioned or too formal to Dutch speakers.
To discover more about the nuances between Flemish and Dutch, we asked Flemish voice actor Serge D. to provide his take on what sets them apart, highlighting some key differences based on his experience:
Flemish voice actor Serge D.
Language isn’t just about communication; it reflects identity and tradition.
Recognizing the cultural nuances between Belgians and the Dutch is key.
Even though both countries share a language, their unique histories have shaped how things are said. This is crucial in marketing. For instance, Flemish tends to be more nuanced and polite.
Flemish: ‘Profiteer vandaag nog van 50% korting.’ (Take advantage of 50% off today.)
Dutch marketing appeals are also direct and straightforward:
Dutch: ‘Koop nu en bespaar 50%!’ (Buy now and save 50%!)
On the other hand, Dutch expressions can be quite vivid and sometimes blunt:
Dutch: ‘Met dit apparaat ben je de koning te rijk.‘ (With this device, you’ll be as rich as a king.)
Meanwhile, Flemish expressions are often more reserved and poetic:
Flemish: ‘Met dit apparaat haal je een schat in huis.‘ (With this device, you bring treasure into your home.)
A Dutch voice actor might miss the subtleties in a script meant for the Belgian market, and vice versa. Choosing the right voice talent ensures your message resonates perfectly with your audience.
Choosing the Right Dutch or Flemish Sound for Your Audience
Hopefully, this guide to the differences between Dutch and Flemish will prove to be a useful resource, helpful towards shaping your decisions when searching for the most suitable voice over artist for each type of recording.
Our aim at Voice Crafters is to make the process of hiring talented professionals easier, so just by using the search feature at the top of this page, you can quickly filter between “Dutch” and “Flemish” vocal talent.
Read through the profiles of experienced voice over professionals, listen to samples of their work, then invite them to audition and quote for your project. It’s really that simple.
But if you have specific questions or seek further advice relating to Dutch and Flemish voices, reach out and contact us with your needs.
We are always delighted to help you manage detailed or specific requirements.
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