Blossoming Vocabulary: Dutch Words in the Global Garden

Language and culture are constantly evolving, shaped by history, migration, and interaction. The Dutch, with their seafaring heritage and global reach, have left a lasting mark far beyond their small country. From linguistic transformations to place names and borrowed words, Dutch influence can be found in surprising places. 

This article reveals not only the adaptability of language but also the rich interconnectedness of cultures worldwide. Dive in to uncover the Dutch traces in everyday life! 

1. From Sinterklaas to Santa Claus: A transatlantic transformation 

Did you know that Santa Claus’ name came from Sinterklaas? Dutch settlers brought the tradition of Sinterklaas to America in the 17th century, and the name gradually evolved into Santa Claus, a figure now synonymous with Christmas worldwide. This shift was not just a change of name; Santa Claus took on new attributes, blending elements of both Sinterklaas and English Father Christmas traditions. Over time, this Americanised version grew into the robust, jolly figure in red that we recognise today — a significant departure from the lean, stoic Sinterklaas of Dutch origin. Try saying Sinterklaas in an English accent: Sinterklaas - Sintaklas - Santaklas - Santa Claus! 

2. Dutch roots in New York City 

The Dutch influence in early American history is significant, particularly in the area that is now New York. Originally Nieuw Amsterdam, the city was a Dutch settlement before the English took control in the 1660s. Despite the change in governance, many Dutch place names remained, though their pronunciation and spelling evolved over time: 

• Brooklyn is named after the Dutch town Breukelen. 

• Harlem is named after the Dutch city Haarlem. 

• Coney Island was originally called Konijneneiland, or "Rabbit Island". This was because of the large number of wild rabbits that roamed the island.  

• Wall Street: The famous financial district gets its name from Walstraat, a Dutch street name referring to a defensive wall built by Dutch settlers. 

These changes show how Dutch place names were adapted yet retained echoes of their original meanings and identities. There are many more places in the city that are of Dutch origin. Read them all in this article by IamExpat.

3. Global influence: Dutch words borrowed by other languages 

Dutch’s influence isn’t confined to place names; it has contributed vocabulary to other languages as well. English adopted words like yacht (from jacht), cookie (from koekje), boss (from baas), and dollar (from daalder). Even Japanese borrowed biiru from the Dutch bier (beer) during their trade relations in the Edo period. These words remain in use today, each bearing traces of their Dutch origins yet modified to fit the phonetic and grammatical structures of their new languages. 

Can you think of any words in your language with Dutch traces? You might be surprised on how many there are.