Introduction: Expressing Feelings and Importance in Writing
Beyond formal communication or objective reporting, B2 level includes the ability to write personal letters and emails (persoonlijke brieven en e-mails) that effectively highlight the personal significance (persoonlijke betekenis) of events, experiences, or news for you. This involves expressing feelings, reflections, and opinions in an appropriate tone, often using more informal or semi-formal language.
This skill is important for maintaining relationships, sharing personal updates, expressing sympathy or congratulations, and communicating on a more personal level.
Key Elements of Highlighting Personal Significance
- Choosing the Right Register:
- Usually informal (
jij/je/jouw) or semi-formal, depending on your relationship with the recipient. - Use familiar greetings (
Hallo [naam],Beste [naam],Lieve [naam]) and closings (Groetjes,Liefs,Met vriendelijke groet- can still be used in semi-formal personal letters).
- Clearly Stating the Event/News:
- Briefly mention the event, experience, or piece of news you are reacting to.
Ik hoorde/las over...(I heard/read about...)Bedankt voor je brief/mail waarin je vertelde over...(Thanks for your letter/email where you told me about...)Ik wilde je even laten weten dat...(I just wanted to let you know that...)
- **Expressing Feelings and Emotions (
Gevoelens Uiten):
- Use appropriate vocabulary to describe your reaction (happiness, sadness, surprise, sympathy, excitement, etc.).
Ik ben zo blij voor je!(I'm so happy for you!)Wat geweldig/fantastisch/leuk nieuws!(What great/fantastic/nice news!)Het spijt me te horen dat.../Wat verdrietig/jammer dat...(I'm sorry to hear that... / What a shame that...)Ik leef met je mee.(I sympathize with you / My thoughts are with you.)Ik was verrast/geschokt toen ik hoorde dat...(I was surprised/shocked when I heard that...)Dat raakt me.(That touches me / affects me.)Ik maak me zorgen over...(I'm worried about...)
- **Explaining the Significance (
Betekenis Uitleggen):
- Explain why the event/news is important or significant to you personally.
- Connect it to your own experiences, memories, feelings, or values.
Dit is belangrijk voor mij omdat...(This is important to me because...)Het doet me denken aan...(It reminds me of...)Ik weet hoe [gevoel] het is om...(I know how [feeling] it is to...)Dit betekent veel voor me, want...(This means a lot to me, because...)Jouw succes/nieuws inspireert me om...(Your success/news inspires me to...)
- **Sharing Reflections or Opinions (Optional):
- Offer personal thoughts or reflections related to the event.
- Share a related personal anecdote briefly.
- Give supportive advice if appropriate and welcome.
- **Maintaining a Personal Tone:
- Write naturally, as if you were speaking to the person (while still using correct grammar).
- Use contractions (
ik heb,het is) if appropriate for the informal register. - Include personal touches, questions about the recipient, or shared memories.
- **Appropriate Closing:
- Reinforce your feelings or offer good wishes.
Nogmaals gefeliciteerd!(Congratulations again!)Veel sterkte gewenst.(Wishing you strength.)Ik denk aan je.(Thinking of you.)Laat snel weer van je horen!(Let me hear from you again soon!)- Choose an appropriate closing (
Groetjes,Liefs,Hartelijke groet, etc.).
Example Scenarios
- Congratulating a friend on a new job or achievement.
- Expressing sympathy after hearing bad news.
- Sharing your excitement about an upcoming personal event (e.g., travel, moving).
- Reacting to news shared by a family member.
- Writing a thank-you note explaining why a gift or gesture was meaningful.
Writing personal letters and emails that highlight significance involves more than just stating facts; it requires expressing genuine feelings and explaining why something matters to you. Choose the appropriate informal or semi-formal register, use vocabulary that conveys emotion accurately, and connect the event to your personal context. This skill helps build and maintain personal connections through writing.