Netherlands Spends €40,000 on Controversial Language Guidelines for Civil Servants
The Hague, 8 April 2026
The Dutch Ministry of Education spent €40,000 creating language guidelines that sparked parliamentary debate on 7 April 2026. The document suggests replacing traditional terms like ‘Moederdag’ with ‘Jij-dag’, using ‘opvangprobleem’ instead of ‘vluchtelingenprobleem’, and avoiding ‘illegale vluchtelingen’. Politicians criticised the expense and ideological nature of the guidelines, with State Secretary Tielen indicating willingness to scrap the document following intense scrutiny about government-imposed language norms.
Parliamentary Scrutiny Intensifies Over Language Document
The parliamentary questioning intensified on 7 April 2026 when Forum voor Democratie member Van Duijvenvoorde challenged State Secretary Tielen of Education and Emancipation about the leaked OCW language guide during question time [1]. Van Duijvenvoorde cited specific examples from the document, stating that ‘to promote equality, OCW in some cases chooses terms that are not yet common in the official Dutch language’ [1]. The examples included replacing ‘Vader- of Moederdag’ with ‘Jij-dag’, ‘Suikerfeest’ with ‘Eid al-Fitr’, and ‘zwart geld’ with ‘illegaal verkregen geld’ [1]. The document, which had been circulating since the week of 30 March to 5 April 2026, sparked debate about whether government has the authority to impose such linguistic norms [1].
Asylum and Integration Terminology Changes
The language guide specifically targets terminology related to asylum and integration policies, suggesting civil servants use ‘opvangprobleem’ instead of ‘vluchtelingenprobleem’ and avoid the term ‘illegale vluchtelingen’ entirely [1]. The document also recommends replacing ‘inburgeren’ with ‘integreren’ when discussing civic integration processes [1]. For asylum seekers currently residing in reception centres (AZCs), these changes signal a potential shift towards more neutral language that avoids framing their presence as inherently problematic. The guide also suggests using ‘gemarginaliseerde mensen’ instead of ‘minderheden’ and avoiding terms that position Western culture as superior [1].
€40,000 Price Tag Draws Cross-Party Criticism
The financial cost of creating the language guide became a focal point of criticism, with multiple parliamentary members questioning the €40,000 expenditure [1][2]. BBB member Van der Plas specifically highlighted that €40,000 had been invested ‘in creating a list of words people should use’ [1]. Forum voor Democratie’s Tom Russcher questioned ‘who comes up with this, and how much money was spent on it?’ in relation to the document that suggests using ‘menskracht’ instead of ‘mankracht’ [2]. SGP member Stoffer suggested the money could have been better spent on infrastructure repairs, whilst another member proposed giving OCW’s 2,500 civil servants copies of Orwell’s ‘1984’ instead of the language guide [1].
Government Response and Future of Language Guidelines
State Secretary Tielen responded to the criticism by emphasising that ‘there is no ban on language’ and that ‘everyone may use the language they want’ [1]. The language guide, which was originally published a year earlier on 6 April 2025, aimed to help civil servants with careful and equal interaction [1]. However, facing mounting pressure, Tielen indicated on 6 April 2026 that ‘it seems like quite a good moment to look at whether it is actually still necessary’ [1]. She further stated that she considers the language guide unnecessary for the professionalism of her civil servants and believes it can be discarded [1]. This potential reversal represents a significant policy shift just one year after the document’s initial implementation, demonstrating how parliamentary scrutiny can influence government communications policy.