Dutch in the metropolitan context of Brussels

Description

Brussels and its Flemish periphery have traditionally been characterised by a high degree of language contact and language conflict (Witte & Van Velthoven 2010). Strikingly, the socio-demographic composition of the metropolitan population began to change precisely at the moment when the political–linguistic conflict was largely neutralised through a process of state reform centred on “language pacification”.

This demographic shift has a clear impact on the current language situation in Brussels and the municipalities of the Flemish periphery. The BRIO Language Barometer – a representative survey among the adult population of Brussels and the Flemish periphery – shows that multilingualism is, in many linguistic domains, the rule rather than the exception.

In light of this new multilingual reality, pertinent questions arise concerning the role and future of Dutch in the metropolitan Brussels context: “What role is there for Dutch in public and private service provision?”, “Does multilingualism lead to language loss, or does it function instead as a lever for Dutch?”, and “How can speakers of other languages be encouraged to learn and use Dutch?”

This panel addressed these questions from sociolinguistic and politico-linguistic perspectives, with a focus on language use and language policy in Brussels and its Flemish periphery.

Period	29 Aug 2025
Event title	22ste Colloquium Neerlandicum: Nederlands in meertalige contexten
Event type	Conference
Conference number	22
Location	Brussel, BelgiumShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International