III.

Middle Dutch

Middle Dutch extends from 1150 to 1500. The language during this period underwent changes in sounds and inflections; no standard written form was at first recognized, and writers used local dialects. In the 13th century a determined effort was made to establish a literary Dutch, the leader in the movement being the poet Jacob van Maerlant. The use of the different dialects for literary purposes, however, continued. Unlike Old Dutch, many Middle Dutch texts exist.