Oosterhoff - Modern Dutch grammar: a practical guide

Modern
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Grammar Modern Dutch Grammar: A Practical Guide is an innovative reference guide to Dutch, combining traditional and function-based grammar in a single volume. With a strong emphasis on contemporary usage, all grammar points and functions are richly illustrated with examples. The Grammar is divided into two parts. is carefully organized around language functions and contexts such as: giving and seeking information; describing processes and results; expressing attitudes, mental states, and emotions; registers and style; formal and informal communication, e.g., youth talk. Main features of the Grammar include: clear, succinct and jargon-free explanations; extensive cross-referencing between the different sections; emphasis on areas of particular difficulty for learners of Dutch. This is the ideal reference grammar for learners of Dutch at all levels, from elementary to advanced; no prior knowledge of grammatical terminology is assumed and it provides indexes of grammatical terms and functions.

This Grammar is complemented by a companion website at www.routledge.com/cw/oosterhoff featuring related exercises and activities to reinforce learning. Jenneke Oosterhoff is Senior Lecturer in the Department of German, Scandinavian and Dutch at the University of Minnesota. She has taught both German and Dutch. Routledge Modern Grammars Series concept and development Sarah Butler Other books in the seriesModern Mandarin Chinese GrammarModern Mandarin Chinese Grammar WorkbookModern French Grammar, Second EditionModern French Grammar Workbook, Second EditionModern German Grammar, Second EditionModern German Grammar Workbook, Second EditionModern Italian Grammar, Third EditionModern Italian Grammar Workbook, Second EditionModern Japanese GrammarModern Japanese Grammar WorkbookModern Brazilian Portuguese GrammarModern Brazilian Portuguese Grammar WorkbookModern Russian GrammarModern Russian Grammar WorkbookModern Spanish Grammar, Third EditionModern Spanish Grammar Workbook, Third EditionModern
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GrammarA Practical Guide Jenneke Oosterhoff First published 2015 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN and by Routledge 711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business 2015 Jenneke Oosterhoff The right of Jenneke Oosterhoff to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Oosterhoff, Jenneke A., author. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Oosterhoff, Jenneke A., author.

Modern Dutch grammar : a practical guide / Jenneke Oosterhoff. pages cm. (Routledge Modern grammars) Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. Dutch languageTextbooks for foreign speakersEnglish. 2.

Dutch languageGrammarProblems, exercises, etc. I. Title. PF112.O67 2014 439.3182421dc23 2014020169 ISBN: 978-0-415-82840-6 (hbk) ISBN: 978-0-415-82841-3 (pbk) ISBN: 978-1-315-74343-1 (ebk) Typeset in Times New Roman
by Graphicraft Limited, Hong Kong Contents While writing this book, I consulted excellent reference grammars such as the online Algemene Nederlandse Spraakkunst (Nijhoff, 1997), De Regels van het Nederlands (Wolters Noordhoff, 1994) and Nederlandse Grammatica voor Anderstaligen (Utrecht, 1985). I thank the people at taaladvies.net for promptly sending me answers to complex grammatical questions. I especially thank my colleagues Wijnie de Groot and Inez Hollander for proofreading my chapters, helping me with translations, giving me ideas and supporting me with good humor along the way.

Special thanks also to Michel van der Hoek for proofreading and commenting on my chapters on pronunciation, spelling, and sounds. I also want to thank Paulien Detailleur for reviewing my chapters as well as my anonymous reviewer who gave me invaluable advice for improving the manuscript. I also thank my students at the University of Minnesota for giving me ideas for this book. Lastly, I thank the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota for granting me a leave of absence to finish this book. Modern Dutch Grammar: A Practical Guide is a practical reference grammar designed with a modern, communicative approach for students learning and teachers teaching Dutch as a foreign language. This book differs from traditional grammars in that it combines detailed explanations of grammatical structures in therefore, particular attention is paid to idiomatic use of the language and register.

Register refers to the different vocabulary and grammar structures speakers use when talking or writing to different people, taking into account the status, age, and the relationship they have with other people, and whether the situation demands a formal or an informal level of speech. And so for each situation described, examples are given in formal as well as informal or colloquial contexts. By offering frequent cross-references, the book illustrates the interdependence of structures and functions. The functions illustrate how the grammatical structures are applied. For instance, one cannot give commands without knowing the imperative, just as one cannot describe and compare objects without the proper use of adjectival endings. Furthermore, the book points out particular language pitfalls, i.e., situations where native speakers of English are tempted to translate literally while the Dutch expression is totally different.

Some examples of this are Hoe ben je? for How are you? where it should be Hoe gaat het met je? which always automatically prompts the answer Ik ben goed for Im fine/good where it should be Het gaat goed met me. Another mistake that is often made is Ik ben vervelend for I am bored where it should be Ik verveel me. The book offers many examples of such pitfalls. This book is intended for learners who already have a basic knowledge of the Dutch language. While the grammatical structures are explained in a way that is also easy to understand for beginner learners, the functions in would require a student to have reached the level of A2 or B1 as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Language Learning or Intermediate-Mid according to the ACTFL proficiency guidelines. The book will be a useful reference tool for undergraduate students taking Dutch to fulfill a language requirement or as a major or minor part of their four-year college program.

It will also be a helpful reference tool for students of Dutch in secondary schools and adult education classes. University students as well as self-learners in an academic, non-academic, or postgraduate environment will find this book a welcome addition to my other two Dutch grammar books: Basic Dutch: A Grammar and Workbook and Intermediate Dutch: A Grammar and Workbook, also published by Routledge in 2009. Finally, teachers of Dutch will find this an invaluable resource in planning syllabi and teaching Dutch courses. Exercises are an essential part in language learning. This textbook is accompanied by a companion website with exercises for both .