The Dutch language is a West Germanic language primarily spoken in the Netherlands and Belgium. It is the official language of both countries and is also recognized in parts of Suriname and the Caribbean. Dutch is closely related to German and English, sharing many similarities in vocabulary and grammar. With around 23 million native speakers, Dutch is one of the most widely spoken languages in Europe. The language has various dialects, influenced by regional cultures, and has also contributed to the development of Afrikaans, a language spoken in South Africa and Namibia.