The Linguistic Coping Strategies of Three Netherlanders in England

Thousands of migrants left the Low Countries in second half sixteenth century for religious, political, or economic reasons. They faced many difficulties as they attempted to rebuild their lives abroad, including linguistic obstacles. Many them moved England, but proficiency English was rare among Netherlandish community. Nevertheless, this article argues, language differences did not only pose problems, also offered opportunities, especially members higher echelons Dutch diasporic The inhabitants were widely reputed have excellent knowledge languages, and good reason. This concentrates on strategies three multilingual individuals who across North Sea: nobleman Jan van der Noot, painter Lucas d’Heere, merchant Johannes Radermacher. It studies ways which used multiple languages starting capital build new social professional themselves. For example, skills appeal local aristocracy order ensure patronage, expand networks by frequenting particular religious communities, offer instruction. therefore contributes our understanding encounters everyday struggles century.