Dutch orthography - Apostrophe Usage

Apostrophe Usage in Dutch The apostrophe is a valuable punctuation mark in Dutch that serves specific functions in spelling and writing. Understanding when and how to use apostrophes correctly is essential for proper Dutch orthography. Indicating Omission The primary function of an apostrophe in Dutch is to mark the omission of letters or words, similar to how it works in English. When part of a word or an entire word is left out—whether due to contractions, dialect spelling, or poetic convention—an apostrophe shows readers exactly where the gap exists. Key principle: The apostrophe replaces the missing letters or words, occupying their position in the text. Some common contexts where this occurs include: Contracted words: When words are shortened in speech or informal writing, the apostrophe marks what's been removed. For example, "d'r" (for "daar" - there) or "t" (for "het" - the). Historical or stylistic omissions: Apostrophes can appear in older texts or dialect writing where letters have traditionally been dropped. Abbreviations in context: When a word is abbreviated by removing letters, the apostrophe indicates where the word has been cut short. Capitalization After Apostrophe A specific rule governs capitalization when an apostrophe appears at the start of a word or in word-initial position. This rule requires careful attention because it differs from what you might expect. The rule: Except in all-caps text, the letter immediately following a word-initial apostrophe should not be capitalized. Instead, if capitalization is needed, it applies to the next word that follows. The classic example is the Dutch city name 's‑Gravenhage (The Hague). Notice that: The letter "s" following the apostrophe is lowercase If this city name appears at the beginning of a sentence, you would capitalize the next word instead, not the "s" This convention ensures that apostrophes mark true letter omissions without creating unusual capitalization patterns that would confuse readers about where actual word beginnings are.