Woordenlijst voor de spelling der Nederlandsche Taal / Met aanwijzing van de geslachten der naamwoorden en de vervoeging der werkwoorden

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22722

Title

Woordenlijst voor de spelling der Nederlandsche Taal / Met aanwijzing van de geslachten der naamwoorden en de vervoeging der werkwoorden

Language

nl

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This practical dictionary by M. de Vries and L. A. te Winkel establishes standardized spelling rules for Dutch, resolving historical inconsistencies in compound words, gender, and verb conjugation. It serves as an essential guide for writers and educators seeking clarity and uniformity in the language.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in its seventh edition and edited by Dr. A. Beets, *Woordenlijst voor de spelling der Nederlandsche Taal* by M. de Vries and L. A. te Winkel addresses the chaotic state of Dutch orthography prior to the 1804 reforms. The authors argue that a radical overhaul is impractical; instead, they propose a balanced approach that respects established usage while incorporating scientific linguistic principles. The text meticulously details rules for compound words, distinguishing between those that remain separate, those joined by a hyphen, and those fully combined based on meaning and etymology. Special attention is given to foreign loanwords, ensuring they are treated as citizens of the language unless misused. The book provides comprehensive conjugation tables for verbs, indicating strong or weak forms, auxiliary usage, and separability. It also clarifies the gender of nouns, correcting arbitrary assignments found in earlier dictionaries by relying on the inherent logic of the language. By offering a practical handbook rather than a theoretical treatise, the authors aim to eliminate uncertainty for the general public and students, fostering a unified and orderly national language. The preface highlights that while the 1804 spelling regulations had been widely adopted, they left many complex questions unanswered, leading to constant hesitation and hindering education. The authors sought to resolve these issues without alienating traditionalists or radical reformers, acknowledging that orthography is an intricate subject where complete agreement is difficult to achieve. The work serves as a definitive guide for writers and students, providing clear instructions on compound formation, the use of hyphens, and the treatment of loanwords, thereby promoting a stable and logical standard for the Dutch language.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22722.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg22722.epub

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2026-07-02 17:02 UTC

Categories

• Dutch Language
• Spelling