Blog 55 – Goedemorgen allemaal

(Hoo-da-more-hen al-la-mel)

Good morning, everyone. “Highly skilled migrants” such as Andy, are recruited to the Netherlands with phrases like: “Don’t worry about the language, everyone speaks English”.  And, for the most part, this is a true statement; they speak English. It is; however, a Dutch country and the official language is Dutch; all writing is Dutch. No contract in the Netherlands is official if it is not in Dutch, even if the parties to the contract cannot read it, i.e., we truly hope there is nothing bizarre in our apartment rental contract and heaven only knows what is in our cell phone plans.

We picked up some food and drink words pretty quickly; eten and dranken: kip is chicken, kaas is cheese, brood is bread, wit wijn is white wine, and bierje is small beer – beers are served small here to keep the contents cold. But assuming we would be out and about, we needed Dutch lessons to become more enculturated. In November we began our Dutch lessons; one tutor for the two of us, over Skype.

Us learning Dutch is too funny by far. Rote memorization of new words is a part, learning pronunciation is a part, and learning the grammar is a whole ‘nuther thing. Subject, verb, split infinities; I feel like the goof off in the back of the class trying to hide so the teacher won’t call on them – but it’s just the two of us, on a video conference, there is no place to hide.

Like many a poor student, I quite often spend my “homework time” not actually reviewing the lessons, but Googling and YouTube searching for things like the ABC song in Dutch, (https://youtu.be/wkdxfd2mhS8) or How to Sound Dutch (https://youtu.be/qHcBmV-xx1M) , or Top Ten Dutch words (https://locallayover.com/2017/05/26/top-10-dutch-words/) or the all-time favourite topic: Easy Dutch (https://youtu.be/sgiDZvYZyMQ) I know as well as anyone that this is “pretend work”, so today I did it not for myself, but for this blog – my searching had purpose.

Ah, but I also like to include pictures with the blog postings – pictures of us attempting to read our text just does not convey the actual language mangling that occurs, and making a video would just be too embarrassing, so instead I have opted for another version of “pretend work”; I am including pictures of signage from along the canal district of Amsterdam. This is one way I practice my Dutch reading, trying to figure out what the signs mean as I encounter them on my walks.

Tot ziens, (pronounced pretty much like it looks) means, goodbye, so long

Found posted in a souvenir shop window by Centraal Station.
Translated: We Miss Ya’ll. Stay Healthy
  • Amnesia is a “Coffeshop” down the Herengracht
  • This is from a Chinese restaruant on the Haarlemerstraat
An example of how several shops indicate that you are not allowed to stay inside.
The seats have been taken by the giant pandas.
Sign found on a building, Translated:
No Bicycle Place Please (Meaning: Please no bike parking)
A.U.B. is the acronym for a formal version of Please
  • Translated: Money withdraw or start
  • Have got you a question or help required?
Which line do I get in at the bank? The bottom line on both reads:
Nice as you here for a bit wait. (Nice if you wait here)
Hoi is a friendly ‘hello’. “Nice to have you here”.
On the body it says: “more for you!”
  • Hydrate your skin in record time
  • Your Lush goodies at home? Scan the QR code
  • Action! buy 2, get 2 free
Sale, 2nd article/item 50% discount.
As seen in many windows at this time, even though the shops are not open.
Some McDonalds are open. The sign reads: Our Take Out is open until 8:45 pm (note current curfew starts at 9:00 pm)
The last line reads: Thank you for your understanding.
Translation: Do shopping? Come during the week, then it is quieter.
Last line: I protect you, you protect me.
None-the-less, the shop is closed for the lockdown
We have a great Lego store here, on the Kalverstraat (shopping street). The signs are too numerous to translate; generally, they cover the rules of when they were open of limiting the number of klanten (clients/customers) or bezoekers (visitors) and the verplicht mondkapje (obligated mouth mask)
They too are currently closed.
Primark is a fairly low-cost department store out of the UK. They sell clothes and household goods. Translation: This one store is temporarily closed. Because of government directives is our store temporarily closed. Looking forward to seeing you again soon. The Primark Team. The last two lines are: Together Strong. Care good for each other
We end the picture section as it began; We miss ya’ll. Stay healthy.
Tot snel is translated to: See you soon.

2 thoughts on “Blog 55 – Goedemorgen allemaal”

  1. Hi Guys,

    All I can say is that you guys are super brave and I am really proud of you. :)) Don’t think I could do it.

    Such a wonderful experience!!

    Love the post cards..

    Much love,
    Vicki

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