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UNIT EIGHTEEN
Indirect speech
Introduction
The unit on word order in Basic Dutch concluded with a section on word
order in indirect speech. This unit continues with more complicated forms
of indirect speech.
Indirect statements and indirect questions
A typical aspect of indirect speech is that the perspective changes from
first person to third person. However, the number of speakers involved in
the conversation, and the question of who addresses whom can also determine
the subject form of indirect speech.
Erik: Ik kijk vanavond naar voetbal. I’m watching soccer tonight.
1 Erik zegt dat hij vanavond naar voetbal kijkt.
Erik says that he is watching soccer tonight.
Erik: Wat zit er in de salade? What’s in the salad?
2 Erik vraagt wat er in de salade zit.
Erik asks what is in the salad.
The clauses in italics are indirect speech. They are subordinated clauses,
the conjugated verb (or the verb group) is at the end, and they can be
indirect statements (example 1) or indirect questions (example 2). Note
how in example 1 the subject changes from first person in direct speech
to third person in indirect speech. Naturally, the speaker can also repeat
his or her own statement in indirect speech, in which case the subject
doesn’t change. Example:
Erik: Ik kijk vanavond naar voetbal. I am watching football tonight.
Sanne: Wat zeg je? What did you say? 121