Historical Dutch for Reading Knowledge

Historical Dutch for Reading Knowledge aims to help students and scholars in any field, from history and anthropology to environmental studies and art history, learn how to read historical Dutch sources. Authored by scholars of historical Dutch with expertise in the culture and history of both the Netherlands and its former colonies, the book draws on years of combined experience in teaching and learning the language. As such, it is a practical guide for acquiring the reading skills and strategies necessary to understand Dutch sources dating from the sixteenth to the mid-twentieth centuries. The book’s fifteen chapters and their corresponding exercises introduce learners to all aspects of the historical language, drawing on a wide variety of sources, which collectively cover numerous topics and span several centuries. Historical Dutch for Reading Knowledge is intended for non-native and native speakers of the language, and is suitable for both self-study and for classrooms worldwide. This book represents the latest step in the ongoing efforts of the Taalunie (‘Union for the Dutch Language’) to develop professional courses and materials for non-native students interested in acquiring Dutch for reading knowledge.