MIDDLE DUTCH Meaning and
Definition
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Middle Dutch refers to the stage of the Dutch language that was spoken between the period of Old Dutch (ca. 600-1200) and Early Modern Dutch (ca. 1500-1800). It emerged around the 12th century and gradually replaced Old Dutch as the primary spoken language in the Low Countries, which include present-day Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
Middle Dutch was characterized by significant changes in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation compared to its predecessor. It became more influenced by the neighboring German dialects and underwent a shift towards a more analytic structure. The phonological changes included the loss of certain sounds and the development of new ones, resulting in notable differences from Old Dutch phonetics. Similarly, the vocabulary expanded, incorporating loanwords from French and Latin due to increased contact with the Frankish and Burgundian courts.
The main literary text of Middle Dutch is known as the "Brabantian epic," which consists of various works such as "Reinaert de Vos" and "Van den vos Reynaerde." These texts, along with religious and legal writings, provide insight into the grammatical structure and vocabulary of this period.
Middle Dutch eventually gave way to Early Modern Dutch in the 16th and 17th centuries due to various societal and cultural changes in the region. However, it left a lasting impact on the development of the Dutch language, establishing important linguistic characteristics that continue to shape modern Dutch dialects and variants spoken today.
Etymology of MIDDLE DUTCH
The term "Middle Dutch" refers to the historical stage of the Dutch language spoken between the 12th and 16th centuries. The etymology of the word "Dutch" itself can be traced back to the Old High German term "diutisc" or "diutisch", meaning "of the people" or "vernacular". This term later evolved into "Duits" in Middle Dutch, which referred to the German language. Over time, "Duits" came to specifically represent the High German language, and the term was then used to distinguish the German language from the Dutch vernacular. Ultimately, this led to "Duits" evolving into "Duitsch" or "Duytsch" in Middle Dutch, with "Duytsch" subsequently further modifying into "Dutsch" (which became "Dutch" in English) to specifically refer to the Dutch language.
