General question about languages (Dutch, Flemish and Africaans)

How different are Dutch, Flemish and Africaans? Are they intelligible?

Although some words are different and the dialects are distinct, it's all dutch.
They are not separate languages. If you can speak one. you'll understand the others.
Flemish is more formal in use and Africaans has a harsher tone.
Most of the differences arise from historical politics rather than regional accents.
This is most observable in Belgium, where the French influence is strong.

(watch a Dutch and then Flemish news broadcast to see this highlighted)
Both are presented presented with 'proper grammar' and formal pronunciation....
The resulting differences can be amusing.

(forgive delayed reply, had to seek some regional advice)

thanks Martijn. and which is more respecful/endearing to call the country, Holland or Netherlands?

Mart asked me to follow up on this one... and then I went and forgot all about it. bad daddy! no treats for me !

Anyway....

Properly, you should refer to the Country as Nederland or The Netherlands.
for the English speakers reading, this is said as 'neighderlaant' not ned-er-land, so it's easier for most to use 'Netherlands'

This is because Holland is an area within the Netherlands.

If you think of it in terms of States/ Counties/ Regions/ Districts, depending on your own local terms, then:
within the Netherlands you will find North Holland & South Holland, which are on the coast and are generally refereed to in one as 'Holland'.

Nederland or the Netherlands is the broader term for all the lands within the country, including Holland.

However, for general use in casual conversation the terms are interchangeable. If somebody wanted to be specific, they'd use the prefix-
ie 'North' or 'South' Holland to specify which part of the country they were referring to.

As a visitor, you'll make quite an impression by dis[playing an understanding of the overall geography

Be sure to sample the beer too....



Skipper.

Much obliged! Whether they are from North or South, boys from The Netherlands are cute.