Variation of the Intermediate Language in Flanders

Introduction. At this time the language continuum of Dutch on the territory of Flanders undergoes significant changes and develops in the direction of three-part paradigm, which consists of the standard Dutch language, intermediate (tussentaal) and various dialects which explains the actuality of the studies of the intermediate language. The purpose of the study is to analyze the variety of the intermediate language, its components, combinations and correlation between the dialect features and the features of the standard language, as well as to analyze the problem of distinguishing the dialects and the intermediate language which explains the novelty of the study. Methodology and sources. The study of conducted using the publications and articles in Dutch (Flanders), TV series, talk-show on the Flemish TV, interviewing some informants. The data was collected and analyzed using the method linguistic observations, questioning and comparative analysis. The theoretical basis of the research is language variation. Results and discussion. In the intermediate language of the language continuum of Flanders there are different variants which are formed due to the interference of the primary, secondary and tertiary dialect features, as well as due to the interference of the elements of the standard language in different degrees. There are general features of the intermediate language typical for all territory of Flanders on the one side and on the other side local differences. The intermediate language gains strong positions in the media, culture and advertising. Conclusion. Some dialect features have a high degree of interference in all variants of the intermediate language in Flanders, they become an integral part of the intermediate language and don’t prevent the speakers from understanding each other. Due to the dominant regional character of the variants of the intermediate language native speakers can easily identify the origin of the respondent.

Authors: Natalia A. Kolomiets

Direction: Linguistics

Keywords: variation, intermediate language in Flanders (tussentaal), interference, dialect features, features of the standard Dutch

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