middle dutch: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/Very RareTechnical, Historical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “middle dutch” mean?
The West Germanic language spoken in the Low Countries between approximately 1150 and 1500 CE, directly ancestral to Modern Dutch, Afrikaans, and Flemish.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The West Germanic language spoken in the Low Countries between approximately 1150 and 1500 CE, directly ancestral to Modern Dutch, Afrikaans, and Flemish.
A historical linguistic stage used in scholarly contexts to refer to the medieval language, its literature, and its study.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences. The term is used identically in both academic traditions.
Connotations
Neutral, technical designation for a historical language stage.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general use, limited to specialist contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “middle dutch” in a Sentence
Middle Dutch [verb: e.g., *was spoken*, *evolved*, *survives*]texts in Middle Dutchthe [adjective, e.g., *rich*, *extant*, *religious*] literature of Middle DutchVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “middle dutch” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He is specialising in Middle Dutch philology.
- The scholars debated how the sound shifted in Middle Dutch.
American English
- She's studying to read Middle Dutch.
- The professor researches how syntax changed in Middle Dutch.
adjective
British English
- This is a vital Middle Dutch manuscript.
- The Middle Dutch dialect of Brabant was influential.
American English
- He found a new Middle Dutch source.
- Several Middle Dutch words were borrowed into English.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
The primary register. Used in linguistics, history, medieval studies, and literary analysis. Example: 'The manuscript is a key source for the phonology of Middle Dutch.'
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used with precise periodisation (1150-1500 CE) and may involve specific dialect names (e.g., Flemish, Brabantic).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “middle dutch”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “middle dutch”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “middle dutch”
- Using it as a synonym for 'modern Dutch'.
- Capitalising incorrectly (should be 'Middle Dutch', not 'middle Dutch').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Middle Dutch is a historical stage of the language. It evolved into Modern Dutch by the 16th century.
With significant difficulty. While the core vocabulary and grammar are recognisable, spelling, pronunciation, vocabulary, and syntax were different, requiring specialised study to read fluently.
Old Dutch (c. 500-1150 CE) is the earliest attested form, with very fragmentary records. Middle Dutch (c. 1150-1500) has a much richer literary corpus and shows features more directly ancestral to the modern language.
Not directly. Afrikaans developed from the Modern Dutch dialects spoken by 17th-century settlers, which themselves evolved from Middle Dutch.
The West Germanic language spoken in the Low Countries between approximately 1150 and 1500 CE, directly ancestral to Modern Dutch, Afrikaans, and Flemish.
Middle dutch is usually technical, historical, academic in register.
Middle dutch: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪd.l̩ ˈdʌtʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪd.l̩ ˈdʌtʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a timeline: Old Dutch (early), **MIDDLE Dutch** (the middle period), Modern Dutch (now). It's the 'middle' stage of the language.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE IS A LIVING ORGANISM (it has a 'middle' period of growth and change).
Practice
Quiz
What is the approximate timeframe for Middle Dutch?