NEDERLANDSCH Meaning and
Definition
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Nederlandsch is an archaic term that refers to the Dutch language or anything related to the Netherlands. The term is derived from the Dutch word "Nederlands," which means "Dutch" or "of the Netherlands." It is primarily used to describe things written or spoken in Dutch or pertaining to Dutch culture, history, or people.
Nederlandsch can also be used as an adjective to describe anything originating from the Netherlands or associated with Dutch people. For example, Nederlandsch cuisine refers to the traditional food and cooking methods of the Netherlands, while Nederlandsch art relates to artistic creations originating from Dutch artists.
This term was commonly used during the colonial era, particularly by European colonizers, to refer to the language and customs of the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), which were under Dutch colonial rule. Today, the term has fallen out of common usage, as the word "Nederlands" has become more prevalent to refer to the Dutch language and culture. Consequently, "Nederlandsch" is primarily encountered in historical or literary contexts.
Overall, Nederlandsch is a term that signifies the Dutch language, culture, and anything associated with the Netherlands or its people, often used in the past but now less commonly used in modern language.
Etymology of NEDERLANDSCH
The word "Nederlandsch" is derived from the Dutch language. The term "Neder-" means "Low" or "Lower" and refers to the fact that the Netherlands is geographically situated in the lower region of Europe. "Land" means "land" or "country", and "-sch" is a suffix commonly seen in the Dutch language to indicate the adjective form. So, "Nederlandsch" can be translated as "Lowlandish" or "Dutch". However, it is important to note that "Nederlandsch" is an older spelling variant of "Nederlands", and the latter is the more commonly used term today.
