Dutch vs. English: A Qualitative Study into Reading Preferences of Young Dutch Women

Abstract

In 2022, Dutch adolescents generally preferred to read English-language fiction over Dutch-language fiction in their pastime. This Master's thesis investigates which factors contribute to seventeen and eighteen year-old Dutch women's preference for English fiction, and what this predilection might imply about the cultural capital of the Dutch and English language respectively. Through eleven in-depth interviews, this study shows that the respondents' genre preferences, opinion on translations, social media use, experiences with the Dutch and English literature curriculum, and – to a lesser extent – engagement with film and television – all contribute to a preference for English fiction. The cultural capital of Dutch and English manifests itself in objectified form: respondents perceive a greater diversity of genres available in English, which is attributed with high cultural capital. Additionally, the respondents desire authenticity and therefore prefer to read the author's own words. Dutch translations of original English-language works are imbued with low cultural capital as a consequence. The underlying cause that drives the five factors, and consequently the attribution of cultural capital, is the hyper-central position of the English language vis-à-vis Dutch as a peripheral language. This study adds to academic discourse surrounding the reading preferences of Dutch adolescents, yet ample scope for future research into Dutch genderqueer adolescents and vmbo/mbo students remains.