Geoff Coupe's Blog

Reflections on life at “De Witte Wand”…

Another World

I see that the Dutch "Scientific Council for Government Policy" in its report to the Dutch government has stated that the fact that a person holds dual nationality need not be an obstacle to their integrating into Dutch society. Phew, that’s a relief I thought, metaphorically clutching my British and Dutch nationalities to my bosom.
 
It seems perfect common sense to me. And for that reason of course it gets right up the nose of rightwing politician Geert Wilders who claims that the council is living in "another world".  Well, suck it, Geert. 

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2 responses to “Another World”

  1. Brian Avatar
    Brian

     For generations my family in Rio held dual Brazilian/American or Brazilian/British nationality.  The Brazilians could have cared less.  however as a child in the southern US, my Brazilian roots did not go down well.  Most people could not make the distinction and I was just another "wet back".  Recent events in th States tell me not much has changed.
     
    I seem to be doing okay in Belgium and it helps to speak two of the languages (French and German).  I can follow the Flemish, sort of, but once I cross the frontier into the Netherlands, I’m lost, I’m afraid.  Nederlands there sounds like nothing so much as a dog shitting broken glass, so hats off to you if you’ve mastered it.

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  2. Geoff Avatar
    Geoff

    Ha! Mastered it? I think not… I keep on getting back-handed complements about my charming accent. And I know that I mangle the language with my limited vocabulary and excruciating grammar. The trouble is, at home, I speak English and Martin speaks Dutch, and we understand each other perfectly… 

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