Doesn't the government have anything better to do at this moment -- like forming a government!

In these difficult financial times I would also think that it would be in the best interests of The Netherlands to encourage foreign investment by using as many languages as it can, rather than a minority language like Dutch.

By Quest | September 4, 2010 11:49 AM

Law professor Tijm Kortmann told the paper the move ‘ incomprehensible, unreasonable and counterproductive. The constitution is not a place for sudden impulses that depend on what is happening at that moment in society. I don’t like it at all’. Absolutely. Something as smart as trying to legislate when it will rain.

By zenplus | September 4, 2010 11:59 AM

This is the 21st century. As EU members we are boarder-less; our economies, laws, politics, and cultures are merging more and more together with shared global interests and values. It makes sense that we embrace the idea of having two official languages... Dutch (our national language) and a second, universal language... English.

By Quince | September 4, 2010 12:39 PM

Well, I doubt why Dutch is NOT the main language before...

By outsider | September 5, 2010 12:18 AM

Only a lawyer would whip up an argument against officially using and promoting the Dutch language in Netherlands.

By Commentator | September 5, 2010 8:24 AM

The common language of all Dutch people, or the common language of all peoples living in the Kingdom of the Netherlands?

One would be forgiven for being termed forever a foreigner, despite being proficient in Low-Saxon [no longer in use], Noordhoekse Frysk, Veencolonial Grunnings, German, Danish "and" HRM's favoured German dialect: "ABN"; and the pagan Gaelic of the islands' heathens.

Does being proficient in all of those languages imply one is of the true Arian Hanseatic-race; or perchance, a purebreed Norseman?
~):(~

By Noel McCullagh | September 5, 2010 9:59 AM

The amendment makes international business more expensive because the Dutch companies will have to hire extra education and assistance for the knowledge migrants who are currently not compelled to learn Dutch. And perhaps this is also in violation of certain EU rules by creating a situation where non-Dutch EU citizens in NL (who are also not compelled to speak Dutch) will be denied of government services. It may be a better idea to make English the 2nd official language and put Dutch in a privileged status by rewarding its use. Also the universities will be drained of its brain because they will no longer be allowed to use English as the primary language of instruction and therefore lose their international scholars.

By Lee | September 5, 2010 10:51 AM

It must have been mentioned that dutch is already de facto mandatory in communication with some institutions. A number of times, even after apologizing for my non-existant dutch and asking to talk english, I've been talked to in dutch.

By Deividas | September 5, 2010 11:14 AM

Put your money where your mouth is then government. Provide free QUALITY Dutch lessons for all who need it. Provide us with a carrot instead of beating us with a stick when we don't leave the country or conform fast enough. Stop speaking English to us when we actually try to speak Dutch. And stop making the good Dutch teachers redundant because you want cheaper ones.

By CW | September 5, 2010 12:20 PM

It is all well and good to expect people to learn dutch , but make it EASY for people to actually get information A while ago I of my own accord took it upon my self to go enroll in a dutch course, the person on the phone refused to speak to me in english , so i gave the phone to a dutch collegue he eventually asked them why don't they give me the information in english , the imbecile said well they are supposed to learn the language , HELLO!!! that is the reason i was calling you in the first place , where is the common sense in this country sometimes!!!!!

By completely annoyed | September 6, 2010 1:26 PM