h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Ik ben niet voldoende op de hoogte van deze interface, kan je me vertellen hoe dat moet gebeuren (ook ter algemene leering ende vermaeck).

I am not sufficiently at post (*ugh.. bad translation) with this interface, could you tell me how that should be done (also to help ye other people to get to know this way).

Geen idee.

No idea.

Eigenlijk was de vraag aan Kat gericht, maar ik waardeer je inbreng.

Actually the question was directed to Kat, but I appriciate your input.

No problem, just click on this link and it will take you to the right place:

F1958566?thread=539700?thread=&skip=80&show=20

Eh, kan ik worden toegevoegd als nederlands-sprekend? Als er behoefte aan is wil ik ook wel als leraar optreden.

Erm, could I be added as dutch-speaking? If there is any need: I am willing to perform as teacher.

Hi all
I am an English woman and a fluent French speaker living in France. I recently spent a year working in Ghent in Belgium where I did a 50 hour language course in basic Dutch. I have the possibility of working for a Dutch company based in Paris who require some knowledge of Dutch. I would like to have some basic phrases that I could use for a job interview which will be in their accounts payable department (supplier invoices basically). Can you help me please? (I wrote this question in Dutch originally but my message was blocked as it contained a word that was considered offensive - wonder which one that could have been??) Anyway, any suggestions welcome.

Read dutch newspapers one of our South African members does a convincing job in writing something like dutch.

Unless the potential employers can't speak any Dutch you have a big problem. To learn only passable Dutch takes three years or so and not 50 hours (I'm not trying to be patronizing, all of my friends who've learned Dutch here will say the same) but you could try, if their Dutch is a bit ropey, "Ik wil liever frans spreken dan nederlands om beter te communicieren"..."I'd rather speak French than Dutch for better communication."

Or..."Misschien is het beter dat wij frans praten om duidelijk te zijn voor franstalige collegas" ..."Perhaps it's better to speak french for french speaking colleagues."

Speaking a few words of Dutch is really only a courtesey since almost 100% of the people you will come accross will speak perfect, or nearly so, English as long as they are over the age of 50.

Use your basic Dutch to be polite, concentrate on melting the ice rather than astonishing them with your linguistic pyrotechnics. Remember, you are definately a rare bird, you can actually speak some Dutch, most people just barge their way through in English.

I know, I landed a job here in Holland with only basic Dutch after comong here from France with fluent French seven years ago!. Go for it!

Hi, guys.
I'm the Head of the German Department and just wanted to ask whether there's still anyone here.
Did you notice that Kat, the boss of the Language Thing, hasn't been here for ages anymore? I just checked, she wasn't online since October 2005. Which means she'll probably not come again and there will be no page updates anymore.

What shall we do now?

I think I can take over my department, but I'm not sure about the whole place - not sure how much work it really is. And it also depends on you all.

For now I want to see how many people we still are.

(this message will go to all departments)

Yes, here-ish... Has it really been that long since Kat left? No wonder the place has gone to the dogs!

Yes, exactly. I also didn't realize it before. We can't just leave it like that.

But can't really do anything about it, either. Your move, O glorious leader

if you help me...

.... sooo.... Mala is here... anyone else?

... want to be head of the department? You could have your own broom...

What a sweet offer

don't want to?

hoi I would like to learn some basic dutch I know a few words but that's it

can you help there, Mala?