Flemish/Dutch is sort of a cross between German and English, so if you sound out the words you can often figure out what they mean.
I had to check with a few people but each reply was slighty different, I was always hearing French sounds
Finally I asked Filip @
http://belgianbeerboard.com/>>>Flemish is a mix or blending of Dutch & French?
Well, not always.
Everything is the result of our rich history and unfortunately also our history of occupancies.
Going east flanders, you will reach Limburg where German influences are very common. Limburg dialect is nearly 'Chinese' for us Westflanders people.
Going west, you indeed will notice the French influences. The region of Kortrijk has that "CH" pronouncing variation which sounds like "SK".
This is a clear example of the French influence, as Frenchman are incapable to pronounce "CH" like we do. "Schild en Vriend", remember !
So indeed the Westflanders dialect is frequently mixed with French words which are not part of ABN.
It makes it all that more difficult for foreign people, and even for the local people.
But speaking ABN solves everything
Cheers,
Filip