I’ve been developing an article about a Belgian who collects Praemonstratensia – items connected to the history of our founding order. He’s sent me a carefully prepared Excel document in which he has his collection mapped item by item, abbey by abbey, country by country. It’s a pretty impressive list – and, what’s more it’s all in Dutch, his mother tongue. No surprise there but, notwithstanding, this “Inventaris” looks pretty fancy filed away in the Spring 2013 issue folder. Poring (virtually) over Frans’ inventory makes me feel that 1) this is going to be a really interesting article and 2) “Excelling” in Dutch is easier than you’d think. (OK, so this is like enjoying Verdi and feeling you have mastered Italian, but all the same … .) I’m looking at columns headed Prenten, Boeken voor 1800, Boeken na 1800, Medaille, Postkaart and Diversen, and so far I’m keeping up pretty well. Under the latter category my Dutch (!) continues to hold up as I see various ancient European foundations represented in the collection by phrases like “porselein vaasje” “keramiek plaquette” and “bierglazen” – and, in the entry for Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, Pa., “shirt (polo).” Which must be Dutch for something.
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