Dutch [antikvár]

PREFACE The present volume has been written for those who wish to acquire a knowledge of Dutch by private study. This has made it necessary to be rather more explicit on minor points than would have been the case if the book were intended for use with a teacher, and to devote special attention to the pronunciation, which has been indicated by phonetic script and stress-marks whenever the student was likely to go wrong. The chapter on pronunciation, though short, will be found to contain a great deal of useful information in simple, non-technical language. It should be studied before any of the other chapters is attempted, and constantly revised, so that when the student hears Dutch spoken, either in conversation or over the wireless, he may know what to listen for and how to correct his own pronunciation. Phonetic script will be familiar to many from the French and German books they may have used at school. Those to whom it is new are urged not to jib at it, but to take the little trouble needed to understand it. They will find it of the greatest assistance, as phonetic transcriptions are nsed throughout the book. At the same time students will do weÜ to avail themselves of every opportunity to speak the language and to hear it spoken. Listening to Dutch broadcasts will accustom the ear to the sound of the language, and give greater confidence in using it.