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Antwerps

Antwerp is a major port city in Belgium, located along the Scheldt River. It is known for its historic architecture, including the impressive Cathedral of Our Lady, which houses works by Peter Paul Rubens. Antwerp is the world’s leading center for diamond trading and cutting. The city is also famous for its vibrant fashion industry and artistic heritage. Its mix of medieval charm and modern culture makes it a key cultural and economic hub in Europe.

de roos en de sabel Asterix antwerps
Cover of De Roos en de Sabel

Antwerp dialect

The Antwerp dialect (Antwerps) is a variant of Flemish, spoken in and around the city of Antwerp in Belgium. Flemish is. It is known for its distinct pronunciation, vocabulary, and intonation, which set it apart from standard Flemish. Notable features include the use of the soft “g” sound (which sounds more like a “h” or “sh”), the rolling “r,” and unique slang terms influenced by French and English. The dialect also has a playful tone, with locals often incorporating humor and wordplay into their speech. Despite the dominance of standard Dutch in media and education, Antwerps remains widely spoken in everyday conversation and local culture.

Dutch, Flemish, Antwerpian … it can all be a bit confusing. I hope this clarifies it for you:

  • Antwerpian is a type of Flemish (which is spoken in Belgium).
  • Flemish is a variety of Dutch spoken in Belgium.
  • Brabantic Dutch is the group of dialects (including Antwerpian) spoken in the Brabant region, which spans both Belgium and the Netherlands. Brabantic Dutch is a subgroup within the Flemish language, so you could say Antwerpian is part of Brabantic Dutch.
  • Standard Dutch is the formal, unified language spoken in both the Netherlands and Belgium

Asterix in Antwerp

In 1999, Éditions Albert René published “De Roos en de Sabel,” the Antwerp dialect version of “La Rose et le Glaive” (“Asterix and the Secret Weapon“). This initiative aimed to celebrate regional linguistic diversity by adapting the story into local dialects, including both Antwerp and Ghent variations.