The Introduction of Dutch Language

T HE history of the study of the Dutch language in Japan can be traced back to the establishment of the Dutch factory in Hirado.a At that time the common language in East Asian trade circles would have been Portuguese. It is quite likely that Portuguese was even used in Dutch-Japanese trade, in the very earliest period. Before long, however, some Japanese learned Dutch and became professional interpreters. Their language learning, springing as it did from the necessity to communicate about everyday affairs, was not a systematic study, but was largely for skill in conversation. As the number of professional interpreters increased they formed an organization in which they taught and learned Dutch. Quite naturally the younger would have learned first from their elders and parents, then from the Dutch people in Dejimab. At times some learned directly from the Dutch people. As the main use of Dutch was for conversation and writing, rather than for reading, it was in all likelihood learned through listening and vocal practice. Rather than desk work, this study was more down to earth, a type of natural learning that went on largely during work. We do not have detailed information about the teaching method or the textbooks. An account from a period a bit later, however, indicates that in Nagasakic Letter Kunst, a textbook for Dutch children for the study of reading, writing and spelling, was first used. This was followed by study of Santen spraak (Conversation), a book on daily conversation; large parts were memorized. Then the young learners went into opstellen (writing practice) with the help of the elders and the Dutch. The account given here dates from the early eighteenth century. Hence we could hardly conclude that these texts were available at the earliest period of contact with the Dutch. The language ability of the professional interpreters acquired in this manner was not judged very highly in the journals of the contemporary Dutch

Linguistics · History · Lexicography and Language Studies · Philosophy

• Génesis del hispanismo en Japón

  Open Access•David Taranco•Mirai Estudios Japoneses•2024

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