[hanswesterbeek]

Writing well is underrated. Too many people think they do it well. Kind of like Dutch people and their command of the English language.

[geomark]

What's that about? I'm a native English speaker and know a few Dutch people but haven't noticed some effect like that.

[LeonB]

Not the original commenter, but I’ve heard, and somewhat observed, that Dutch people are generally more fluent in English than other Europeans; and I’ve heard this attributed to Dutch television, where English shows are generally presented in English but with Dutch subtitles, unlike other European nations where such shows would be dubbed into the local language.

[detaro]

While that plays a role, it's a bit odd to single out Dutch for that - far from the only European country where that is the case.

[DoingIsLearning]

Also a bit glossing over the details if we consider how close Dutch and English are compared with say Slavic languages and English or Latin languages and English.

I remember reading a while back that Old English and Old Frisian would have been mutually understandable. Although in fairness I doubt most Dutch today would follow a conversation in Frisian.

[agent327]

Mr. Westerbiek is saying that Dutch people think they're better at English than they generally are.

Or maybe I misunderstood that? I'm Dutch, so who knows...

[LeonB]

I re-read it and I think you’re right.