As a native Dutch speaker, the English language has a lot of secrets for me. I can imagine this also works the other way.

There are the verbs, for example.  In English, the infinitive of a verb starts with “to.” To write, to speak, to imagine, to share, to exchange, to create. In Dutch, we don’t put a word before the verb. We make the verb a bit longer, usually by adding the suffix “en.”  “To write” translates as “schrijven;” “to speak” is “spreken;” “to imagine” translates as “verbeelden;” and “to share” is “delen.”

Like it probably is in English, the Dutch language isn’t rigid, but constantly moving. New concepts, expressions and words pop up almost daily. Since last week, we have a new Dutch verb, dadelen, derived from the word “dadel,” a small and sweet piece of fruit, translated as “a date.”

The “dadelen-community” started up last week. More than 60 people attended the first meeting in Brussels. They join the community to exchange a bit of their time, knowledge, talents and specialties.  No euros are involved, only  the symbolic value of “dates:” 10 dates stand for a half-day exchange of time.  Every member of the community starts with a provision of 80 dates with which he can “buy” the help from another member. If the system gets a cruising speed, there will be a tremendous exchange of resources, completely based on reciprocity. Imagine how strong this kind of network could become.

“Dadelen” is not intended to become a replacement for real money. It’s the common interest in working towards societal transition that is appealing to the community.  As for me, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to engage in this network. I have the feeling I’m going to need the possibility of exchanging strengths in the times ahead of me.

By the way, isn’t it funny that the literal translation of “dadelen”  into English, becomes ‘to date’?

Wanting to discover it a bit further? You’ll find the Dutch website at www.dadelen.be. I’m sure the broken English translation of Google will help you understand the essentials.