''Cruijffiaans'' is the name given to the way of speaking, or a collection of sayings, made famous by Dutch association football player and coach Johan Cruijff (1947–2016), particularly "one-liners that hover somewhere between the brilliant and the banal". An example is "''Je moet altijd zorgen dat je één doelpunt meer scoort als de tegenstander''" (You always have to make sure that you score one goal more than your opponent.)

Description

Cruijff's Dutch was not the generally accepted variation ( ''Algemeen Beschaafd Nederlands'' or ''ABN''), according to linguist Jan Stroop. Lexically, ''Cruijffiaans'' is noted for its

syncretism Syncretism () is the practice of combining different beliefs and various school of thought, schools of thought. Syncretism involves the merging or religious assimilation, assimilation of several originally discrete traditions, especially in t ...

of highly diverse linguistic registers, and combines a working class Amsterdam dialect and football lingo with words not frequently found in the language of football. Semantically, ''Cruijffiaans'' contains many tautologies and paradoxes that, while appearing mundane or self-evident, suggest a deeper level of meaning, a mysterious layer not normally attainable for the average speaker or listener. Syntactically, it uses the rules of Dutch grammar selectively and freely reorganizes word order. Other quirks, for instance, are that ''Cruijffiaans'' knows only one relative pronoun, ''wie''. Cruijff's aphorisms, neologisms, and bastardizations have proven influential, having been the subject of some ridicule, praise, and linguistic investigation. His pronouncements oscillate between pithy aphorism and "endless monologue";

Kees Fens Kees Fens (18 October 1929 in Amsterdam – 14 June 2008) was a Dutch writer, essayist and literary critic.stream of consciousness prose.

Legacy

A poll in 2007 by Amsterdam newspaper '' Het Parool'' asking readers about their favorite Cruijff saying found that it was ''Elk nadeel hep zijn voordeel'' ("Every disadvantage has its advantage"--''hep'' being the Amsterdam pronunciation of ''heeft''; linguist Jan Stroop noted that

Renate Rubinstein Renate Ida Rubinstein (November 16, 1929 in Berlin – November 23, 1990 in Amsterdam) was a German-Dutch writer, journalist and columnist. Biography Rubinstein was born in Berlin, Germany, to a Jewish father and non-Jewish mother. Followi ...

had used that expression before Cruijff did, but thinks it unlikely Cruijff had gotten it from her), followed closely by ''Als ik zou willen dat je het begreep, legde ik het wel beter uit'' ("If I wanted you to understand it, I would have explained it better"). While Stroop said Cruijffiaans frequently was more murky than enlightening and that Cruijff's language was accepted because it was his, journalist and television presenter

Hanneke Groenteman Hanneke Groenteman is a Dutch journalist, radio broadcaster and television presenter who tends to focus on culture-related topics. Early life and education Hanna "Hanneke" Groenteman was born in the Rivierenbuurt quarter, on the south side of ...

said it was hypnotic. The

Johan Cruyff Foundation The Johan Cruyff Foundation was started in 1997 by Dutch soccer player and coach Johan Cruijff (1947-2016) to provide opportunities for children, especially children with disabilities, to be active in sports and play. To that end it builds "Cr ...

, which promotes sports activity especially for disabled children, sells Delftware tiles with some of his expressions. In 2014, the organization published a daily calendar.

References

{{Reflist, 30em

External links

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Johan Cruyff Dutch language Dutch words and phrases Eponyms Quotations from sports Terms for quotations of notable persons

Description

Legacy

See also

References

External links