Etymologically
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volgens

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Pronunciation

  • /ˈvɔl.ɣə(n)s/[1]

Forms

volgens[1] The older form volgends is found from 1634 (Hooft) until 1809.[2]

Etymology

It is formed from volgend, the present participle of volgen, with the adverbial -s, and ⟨-nds⟩ was simplified to ⟨-ns⟩.[3][1][4] Middle Dutch already used the bare participle volgende as a preposition “in accordance with”, as in ⟨volgende desen rade⟩ “following this decision” (1340).[3][5] The formation is like that of blijkens, behoudens and nopens.[2][6]

The Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal points out that the dates do not fit the usual account, since ⟨volgens⟩ (1599) is found earlier than ⟨volgends⟩ (1634).[2] Van der Sijs counts the meaning “according to” as a loan sense of French suivant, which Franck and Van Wijk compare.[7][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

In the 16th century volgens is first an adverb meaning “then, next”: in 1564 a letter is written ind volgens sealed.[3] As a preposition it appears in 1570, volgens de requeste ende dappostille, “in accordance with the petition and the ruling”, and in 1602 volgends de begeerte van de moeder, “according to the mother's wish”.[3]

Semantic evolution

The first sense was “following on, as a consequence of”, of a decision or rule that is carried out.[3][2] From the general sense “in agreement with” the preposition took on the senses “as stated by” a person or a text (volgends haer schrijven van gisteren, 1634) and “in the opinion of”.[3][2] The phrase volgens dien, “consequently”, is found in 1610.[2]

The preposition passed into West Frisian (folgens), Negerhollands and Sranan Tongo (volgens).[8]

Timeline

  • 1340 – Middle Dutch volgende used as a preposition.[5]
  • 1564 – Volgens “thereupon” as an adverb.[3]
  • 1570 – Volgens “in accordance with”.[3]
  • 1599 – The preposition, as Van der Sijs dates it.[9][2]
  • 1634 – Volgends in Hooft, “as stated in”.[2][10]
  • 1809 – The last record of volgends.[2]

Meanings

Preposition

  1. In accordance with, according to a rule, plan or model: volgens het boekje, by the book.[11][1][2]
  2. As stated by a person or source: volgens de krant komt er storm.[2][12]
  3. In the opinion of: volgens mijn zus is het te duur.[11][2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Vries, Matthias de; Winkel, L. A. te, et al. (1882–1998), Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal, 29 vols., 's-Gravenhage / Leiden: Nijhoff / Sijthoff / SDU; supplement 2001; gtb.ivdnt.org
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Philippa, Marlies; Debrabandere, Frans; Quak, Arend; Schoonheim, Tanneke; Sijs, Nicoline van der (2003–2009), Etymologisch woordenboek van het Nederlands, 4 vols., Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press; online via etymologiebank.nl
  4. ^ a b Franck, Johannes; Wijk, Nicolaas van (1912), Franck's Etymologisch woordenboek der Nederlandsche taal, 2nd ed., 's-Gravenhage: Nijhoff
  5. ^ a b Verwijs, Eelco; Verdam, Jacob (1885–1929), Middelnederlandsch woordenboek, 11 vols., 's-Gravenhage: Nijhoff; gtb.ivdnt.org
  6. ^ Vercoullie, Jozef (1925), Beknopt etymologisch woordenboek der Nederlandsche taal, 3rd ed., 's-Gravenhage / Gent: Nijhoff / Van Rysselberghe & Rombaut
  7. ^ Sijs, Nicoline van der (2005), Groot leenwoordenboek, Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale
  8. ^ Sijs, Nicoline van der (2010), Nederlandse woorden wereldwijd, Den Haag: Sdu; with additions from the Uitleenwoordenbank (2015)
  9. ^ Sijs, Nicoline van der (2001), Chronologisch woordenboek: de ouderdom en herkomst van onze woorden en betekenissen, Amsterdam / Antwerpen: Veen
  10. ^ Veen, P. A. F. van; Sijs, Nicoline van der (1997), Etymologisch woordenboek: de herkomst van onze woorden, 2nd ed., Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale Lexicografie
  11. ^ a b Van Dale Groot woordenboek hedendaags Nederlands (2014), Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale Uitgevers
  12. ^ WikiWoordenboek (Dutch Wiktionary), nl.wiktionary.org