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In:Dutch and Contact Linguistics: The Dutch language outside the Low Countries
Edited by Christopher Joby and Nicoline van der Sijs
[IMPACT: Studies in Language, Culture and Society 55] 2025
► pp. 427–458

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Chapter 13
Newspapers as a window into language beliefs of the past

Language contact and conflict in Flemish-American press

ORCiD logo with link | Vrije Universiteit Brussel | Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Vlaanderen
Published online: 4 July 2025
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/impact.55.13cro
Abstract
Within heritage language linguistics, a recent paradigm shift has emanated from the field of (historical) sociolinguistics, investigating (1) the influence of extra-linguistic factors and (2) heritage languages in the past (see Brown 2019). Drawing inspiration from these new directions, this chapter investigates the language beliefs of Flemish emigrants in the United States with particular attention to the pre- and post-migration sociolinguistic ecology. To achieve this, a discourse analysis was conducted using three Flemish-American newspapers dating from 1890 until 1959, specifically focusing on discourse surrounding the use of Dutch and English. Results show that, while Flemish emigrants hold favorable attitudes toward English, their stance regarding societal multilingualism differs in the New Country compared to the Old Country.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.The language history of Belgian Dutch
  • 3.Belgian transatlantic migration
  • 4.Heritage language linguistics
    • 4.1Previous research: Attitudes toward heritage languages in the past
  • 5.Flemish-American heritage newspapers
    • 5.1 De Volksstem
    • 5.2 Gazette van Moline
    • 5.3 Gazette van Detroit
  • 6.Methodology
  • 7.Language attitudes and ideologies surrounding Belgian Dutch and English
    • 7.1Attitudes and ideologies surrounding Belgian Dutch
      • 1.Flemish must be maintained, no matter where in the world the Flemish people are
      • 2.Being able to speak Flemish makes you a Fleming
      • 3.Culture is an important medium to preserve Belgian Dutch
      • 4.Flemish is the most suitable language for expressing religion and emotions
      • 5.Flemish language politics are transported to Flemish-American communities
    • 7.2Attitudes and ideologies surrounding English
      • 1.Having knowledge of the English language is encouraged
      • 2.The English language is accepted within Flemish-American communities
      • 3.The knowledge or use of the English language is not always assured or wanted
      • 4.The later in time, the more dominant English becomes
      • 5.Over time identities shift from Flemish to Flemish-American
  • 8.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
References (79)
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