Chapter 19: Vocabulary - Social Issues

Introduction: Discussing Society's Challenges

Understanding and discussing social issues (maatschappelijke kwesties or sociale vraagstukken) is an important part of engaging with the world at a B2 level. This requires vocabulary related to topics like inequality, environment, migration, health, education, and social justice.

This chapter provides vocabulary for discussing various contemporary social issues in Dutch.

Key Vocabulary Areas

Inequality and Poverty (Ongelijkheid en Armoede):

de ongelijkheid (inequality)
de armoede (poverty)
rijk / arm (rich / poor)
de kloof (the gap, e.g., de kloof tussen arm en rijk)
de welvaart (prosperity, welfare)
het inkomen (income)
de uitkering (social benefit, welfare payment)
de dakloze (homeless person)
kansarm / kansrijk (underprivileged / privileged, opportunity-poor / opportunity-rich)
sociale klasse (social class)
rechtvaardigheid (justice)

Environment and Sustainability (Milieu en Duurzaamheid):

het milieu (environment)
de vervuiling (pollution)
luchtvervuiling / watervervuiling (air pollution / water pollution)
klimaatverandering (climate change)
de opwarming van de aarde (global warming)
de uitstoot (van broeikasgassen) (emission (of greenhouse gases))
duurzaamheid (sustainability)
duurzaam (sustainable)
recyclen (to recycle)
afval (waste, rubbish)
energiebesparing (energy saving)
hernieuwbare energie (renewable energy)
natuurbehoud (nature conservation)
biodiversiteit (biodiversity)

Migration and Integration (Migratie en Integratie):

de migratie (migration)
de immigrant (immigrant)
de emigrant (emigrant)
de vluchteling (refugee)
de asielzoeker (asylum seeker)
de grens (border)
de integratie (integration)
integreren (to integrate)
de multiculturele samenleving (multicultural society)
de diversiteit (diversity)
de discriminatie (discrimination)
het racisme (racism)
de tolerantie (tolerance)
de inburgering (civic integration process)

Health and Well-being (Gezondheid en Welzijn):

de gezondheid (health)
de gezondheidszorg (healthcare)
de ziekte (illness, disease)
de epidemie / de pandemie (epidemic / pandemic)
de vaccinatie (vaccination)
de levensverwachting (life expectancy)
geestelijke gezondheid (mental health)
stress (stress)
het welzijn (well-being)
preventie (prevention)
de verslaving (addiction)

Education (Onderwijs):

het onderwijs (education)
de school (school)
de universiteit (university)
de leraar / de docent (teacher)
de leerling / de student (pupil / student)
het diploma (diploma, degree)
het onderwijssysteem (education system)
leerplicht (compulsory education)
kansengelijkheid (in het onderwijs) (equal opportunities (in education))
het niveau (level)
de kwaliteit (van het onderwijs) (quality (of education))

Crime and Security (Criminaliteit en Veiligheid):

de criminaliteit (crime)
de misdaad (crime, felony)
de diefstal (theft)
het geweld (violence)
de dader (perpetrator)
het slachtoffer (victim)
de politie (police)
de rechtbank (court)
de straf (punishment, sentence)
de gevangenis (prison)
de veiligheid (safety, security)
preventie (prevention)

Strategies for Learning Social Issues Vocabulary

Follow Dutch News and Opinion Pieces: These are prime sources for encountering this vocabulary in context.
Watch Debates or Documentaries: Listen to how issues are discussed.
Group by Topic: Create vocabulary lists or mind maps centered around specific issues (e.g., environment, inequality).
Learn Both Sides: Understand vocabulary used by different perspectives on an issue.
Practice Expressing Opinions: Try writing or talking about a social issue using the relevant Dutch terms.

Discussing social issues requires specific vocabulary to accurately name problems, concepts, and proposed solutions. Familiarizing yourself with terms related to inequality, environment, migration, health, education, and crime allows you to understand public debate and express informed opinions in Dutch at a B2 level.