Netherlands: Difference between revisions
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The national language in the Netherlands is '''[[Dutch phrasebook|Dutch]]''' (''Nederlands''). It's a charming, lilting language punctuated by phlegm-trembling glottal ''g''s (not in the south) and ''sch''s (also found, for example, in Arabic). Dutch, especially in written form, is partially intelligible to someone who knows other Germanic languages (especially German and Afrikaans), and you might be able to get along at least partially in these languages if spoken slowly.
However, the Dutch merchant tradition and international attitude have left this little country with a strong tradition of multilingualism. The majority of the adult population is able to speak '''English''' relatively well, and most younger people speak it fluently, so you should have no trouble getting by. If you attempt to speak Dutch to locals and it does not sound native, do not be surprised if they respond to you in English. Do not take this personally; they are not trying to be rude, but just trying to make communication easier. If you want to practise your Dutch, just tell them and they will usually oblige if they are not in a hurry.
While less widely spoken than English, basic [[German phrasebook|German]] is also spoken by many, especially by seniors and those in the regions near the German border and it is a mandatory subject in high school for two years, though German fluency among younger people is marginal at best. [[French]] and [[Spanish]] are spoken by some as well, but proficiency is rare and usually on a much lower level than English or German. French and especially Spanish are slowly overtaking German in popularity. Besides Dutch, several regional languages and dialects are spoken. In the eastern provinces of Groningen, Overijssel, Drenthe and Gelderland people speak a local variety of Low Saxon (including Grunnegs and Tweants). In the southern province of Limburg the majority speaks Limburgish, a regional language unique in Europe because of its use of pitch and tone length to distinguish words. Frisian is the only official language besides Dutch, but only common in the province of [[Friesland]]. It's the closest living continental language to English.
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* [https://www.discoverholland.com/holland-travel-ticket Holland Travel Ticket] allows unlimited travel through all off the Netherlands by train, tram, bus and metro for 1 day for €48 (May 2023).
* [https://www.eurail.com/en/eurail-passes/one-country-pass/benelux
* [https://www.interrail.eu/en/interrail-passes/one-country-pass/benelux Interrail] (European residents) also have a Benelux passes.
===== Train ticket deals =====
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