The Dutch Media Are Revolting…

… against the introduction of the new spellings in the Dutch language. The Dutch Language Institute published the latest official dictionary of the Dutch language in October. As from next August, it is supposed to become the basis of the language of the government, public authorities and schools. But now, a powerful section of the Dutch media, including the leading newspapers, have rebelled and announced a boycott. They are objecting to what they see as abitrary changes in spelling. Suzanne Weusten, deputy editor of the Volkskrant is reported as saying: "Doubtless there are rules [for the changes], but who in godsname can remember them all?" Folkus Jensma of the NRC Handelsblad adds: "We already make enough mistakes in the paper, with this new spelling it will only get worse". 

 

Speaking as someone who has extreme difficulty with the language as it now stands, I suspect that I will be echoing the sentiment of Folkus Jensma.