Chapter X: The German and Dutch Languages

Old Dutch the Basis of all Germanic Languages.--The Separation of
Dutch and German.--The two Grew Wide Apart.--Affinity of Dutch and
English Languages.--The Saxon Dialect.--Literary High German.

Before the revival of learning in Europe, the German and Dutch languages pursued the same lines; but after that period they began to separate, and have since developed into two distinct languages.

The German language is spoken by the people of the German empire; by about 60 per cent. of those of Austria, and of about 71 per cent. of those of Switzerland. The Dutch language is spoken by the inhabitants of the Netherlands, and it is claimed to be identical, with only slight differences, with the Flemish language spoken by the Low German inhabitants of Belgium.

There was a time when Old Dutch embraced the whole of the Teutonic, or Germanic race, and when the Dutch language included the Teutonic, or German language in all its forms. During the Middle Ages, there was little difference between the various Teutonic forms. Changes began to develop with the revival of learning in Europe, about the fifteenth century. After that time, Modern Dutch and Modern German became divorced, and the differences which at first separated them, continued to increase during a period of more than four centuries, until at this day they have grown wide apart. The changes which have taken place in their spelling, pronunciation, phonology, and inflection of words, resulted in two distinct languages, each with a history of its own, and two nations with little or no homogeneity.

When the two languages began to pursue divergent lines, the Anglo-Saxon and the Dutch seem to have continued on parallel lines for a long period, so that the affinity between those two languages is even greater, than that which exists between the German and Dutch. The Dutch language of to-day bears a striking resemblance to the same language as it existed for three hundred years, beginning with the twelfth century, during which period the German pursued nearly the same lines. Learning was at a low ebb during those years, and the development of all languages from their ruder forms to that of a more cultivated was slow.

After the separation of the German and Dutch languages, the former was composed of numerous dialects, many of which still continue in their modified forms, but a few of them disappeared, while others became widely separated from their conditions during the Middle Ages. One of the principal dialects was of Saxon origin. It made more progress in traveling away from Old Middle Dutch, than any of the other dialects, and in the course of time it became the favorite dialect of the more cultivated classes, and writers began to make use of it for literary purposes. Other German dialects found very little difficulty in adjusting themselves to it, so that German authors, historians, and poets adopted it, and it was thus that it became the literary, or High German language of all German speaking people. A chief influence which gave great emphasis to the making of the Saxon dialect the literary language of all Germans, was on account of Martin Luther selecting it for his translation of the Bible. That gave it its pre-eminence over all the other numerous dialects, and it will no doubt continue, for all time the means by which Germans everywhere throughout the world, will express the thoughts of their inspiration, in poetry, music, and song.

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Specimens of the same text, showing the affinity of the English, Dutch, and German Languages.

ENGLISH.

1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. 2. The same was in the beginning with God. 3. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. 4. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.--St. John, chap. 1. V. 1-7.

DUTCH.

1. In den beginne was het woord, en het woord was bij God, en het woord was God. 2. Dit was in den beginne bij God. 3. Alle dingen zijn door hetzelve gemaakt, en zonder hetzelve is geen ding gemaakt, dat gemaakt is. 4. In hetzelve was het leven, en het leven was het licht der menschen. 5. En het licht schijnt in de duisternis, en de duisternis heeft het niet begrepen. 6. Daar was een mensch van God gezonden, wiens naam was Johannes. 7. Deze kwam tot een getuigenis, om van het licht te getuigen, opdat allen door hem gelooven zouden.

GERMAN.

1. Im Anfang war das Wort, und das Wort war bei Gott, und Gott war das Wort. 2. Dasselbige war im Anfang bei Gott. 3. Alle Dinge sind durch dasselbige gemacht, und ohne dasselbige ist nichts gemacht, was gemacht ist. 4. In ihm war des Leben, und das Leben war das Licht der Menschen. 5. Und das Licht scheinet in der Finsterniss, und die Finsterniss haben es nicht begriffen. 6. Es ward ein Mensch von Gott gesandt, der hiess Johannes. 7. Derselbige kam zum Zeugniss, das er von dem Licht zeugete, und das sie Alle durch ihn glaubten.

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The following version from Caedmon, on the Creation, is a specimen of Anglo-Saxon in King Alfred’s time, about A. D. 885.

Nu we sceolan herian heofon-rices weard, metodes mihte and his mod-geponc wera wuldor-faeder swa he wundra gehwaes ece dryhten cord onstealde.

LITERAL ENGLISH VERSION.

Now we must praise the guardian of heaven’s kingdom, the Creator’s might, and his mind’s thought, glorious Father of men, as of every wonder he, Lord eternal, formed the beginning.