History, Wonder Tales, Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends The Flemish | Page 296

Dutch is not used in pre-school education. However, Dutch is offered as an option in
primary schools in south Wervik and Bailleul. 820 pupils have currently opted to study
Dutch in Bailleul, where the teaching of Dutch is most actively promoted.
Dutch is an optional subject in some secondary schools. There are currently some 500
pupils who have chosen Dutch as an option. History and geography textbooks are
available in Dutch. In general, there has been a relative increase in use of the
language in secondary education.
Dutch is taught as a modern foreign language at the universities of Dunkerque and
Lille. There has, however, been a reduction in interest at this level. Only some 120
students are currently enrolled for Dutch studies at these universities and our
correspondent explains this drop in student numbers by, among other things, the fact
that there are no links between Dutch as a foreign language and its historical use in
the region.
The Government offers Dutch classes as an adult education and continuing training
subject. Initiatives in this area tend to come from individuals or local policy-makers.
Training for Flemish teachers was introduced in Lille in 1983 but abandoned just a
year later, in 1984.
The Professor of Dutch at Lille has for years been trying to introduce the Dutch
Certificat d'Aptitude au Professorat de l'Enseignement Secondaire (CAPES - Diploma
of Education) in France. He is supported in his efforts by the Nederlandse Taalunie
(Dutch/Flemish intergovernmental organization).
2.2. Judicial authorities
The use of French Flemish is not permitted before the courts.
2.3. Public authorities and services
According to our information, central government makes no use of Flemish at all. It
would appear that the use of French Flemish is not permitted by the regional
authorities and that its use is advised against by the official authorities. The same
seems to apply to the local authorities. In brief, the State is not taking any measures to
ensure use of this language by the public authorities.
All public services are offered in just one language - French. This applies, in particular,
to telephone bills and receipts, telephone directories, hospital signs, electricity bills,
signs for post offices and police stations. Flemish is not used at all at this level. Nor is
it possible for service-users to use French Flemish in their contacts with the various
public and semi-public bodies.
Apart from a few street names in Flemish, all road signs are in French. Over the past
five years or so, it has, it seems, become common for house names to be in Flemish.
Place names are correctly used in their traditional form and it is also possible to use
Flemish surnames. It is certainly possible to choose a Flemish given name, but this
remains relatively rare.

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