“Why do you keep writing in English when Dutch is your first language?” It’s a fair question. One I hear often — and one I’ve asked myself, too. The simple answer? Because most of the people I speak to online don’t speak Dutch but the real answer goes deeper.
Dutch is precise. Efficient. Direct to the point of brutal. Let’s be honest — it fits us. We’re a nation of traders. We say what we mean, mean what we say, and only ask how you’re doing if we genuinely want to know. The average Dutch person knows about 40,000 words — but only uses 4,000 to 5,000 of them regularly. Compare that to English, which has over 170,000 words in current use.
English gives you space. It stretches. It wraps itself around feelings instead of dissecting them. It’s poetic, expansive, and emotional in a way Dutch often isn’t. And that matters to me — especially as an artist and a writer.
I grew up in the internet age, and english was always there. My MySpace page glittered with broken HTML and dramatic musical confessions (yes, I’m that old 😉). My first real online friendships were in English.
My love for musicals and theme parks led me into English-speaking communities — because that’s where most of the content lived.
So I stayed and in that language I found more than just connection. I found people with similar passions and values, but with completely different life experiences. People who taught me — often unknowingly — to see the world from other angles. They introduced me to stories, perspectives, and truths I wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Is there a downside? Always. Every upside has its shadow and luckily vice versa is also true. Most of the people I feel closest to now live far away. So far that years pass between real-life hugs. And in between, life happens. Messages go unanswered. You forget to reach out. Time slips by. But still — I keep choosing it. Because when the connection does click, it’s worth it. Because I keep meeting new friends who live across highways, seas, and time zones.
So yes, I’m Dutch. And no, I don’t post much in Dutch (except on LinkedIn — hi 👋). But English is where my words feel most at home and that is where I want to be.
Thanks for reading,
see you in the next letter.
💛 Jolanda
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