Unlike other European nations, the Dutch chose not to follow a policy of language expansion amongst the indigenous peoples of their colonies. In the last quarter of the 19th century, however, a local elite gained proficiency in Dutch so as to meet the needs of expanding bureaucracy and business. Nevertheless, the Dutch government remained reluctant to teach Dutch on a large scale for fear of destabilising the colony. Dutch, the language of power, was supposed to remain in the hands of the leading elite. COUNT 4
QSN1 Towards the end of what century did it become important for more people in Dutch colonies to speak Dutch? ANS1 19th QSN2 What VIP segment of the population in Dutch colonies learned Dutch to participate in business and government? ANS2 local elite QSN3 What was the Dutch government afraid of doing if they taught their colonies Dutch? ANS3 destabilising the colony QSN4 Leaders wanted to hang onto knowledge of the Dutch language because it's the language of what? ANS4 power