Belgium’s top-ranked words of the year, in both French and Dutch, have a climate-related theme. According to a ranking carried out by dictionary publisher Van Dale, Flemish broadcaster VRT, and French-language newspaper Le Soir, the top words from Belgium’s two primary languages were Klimaatklever and Vélotafer.
In the Dutch (Flemish) language, Klimaatklever combines the words ‘klimaat’ (climate) and ‘klever’ (sticker), to refer to an activist who hangs, attaches, or sticks himself to an object of significance to raise attention about the climate crisis.
A wave of activists have launched similar stunts in recent months, glueing their hands to or throwing liquids at famous works of art such as Johannes Vermeer’s "Girl with a Pearl Earring", Van Gogh’s "Sunflowers", and Andy Warhol’s "Soup Cans" artwork.
Opinion is largely split on the public’s perception of these environmental protestors. For better or for worse, the protesters have entered into the common vernacular in Belgium. 23.7% of Belgians voted in favour of the word in the survey launched by dictionary publisher Van Dale.
On your bike!
Also in the ecological theme, the French-speaking regions of Belgium, participants of Belgian newspaper Le Soir’s annual word of the year contest voted in favour of the word ‘vélotafer’, which was selected with around 37% of the vote.
A portmanteau of the words ‘vélo’ (bike) and slang word tafer/taffer (to work), vélotafer/vélotaffer is used to refer to the action of using a bicycle to commute to work or for business trips.
The practice of hopping on a bike to head to work has become increasingly popular in Belgium, especially in Belgium’s predominantly French-speaking capital. In Wallonia, this trend is not quite as pronounced, but investments are being made to make the region more bicycle friendly
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Instead of company cars, some Brussels employers are now giving their employees company bicycles for employees living within cycling distance from the office. The number of company bicycles has doubled since 2019. In a February survey, nearly one in three Brussels employees said that they would trade in one of their family cars for a company bicycle.
“The success of a verb like vélotaf(f)er is due to the conjunction of several factors. It is part of a political and social context that promotes soft mobility in urban areas. It's phonic form is expressive and easy to memorise. In addition, it is much more concise than saying ‘commuting by bike’,” linguist Michel Francard told Le Soir.
Other highly rated words among French-speakers this year include Metaverse, Flygskam (Swedish loan word- ‘To flight shame’), Silent Resignation, post-Covid, and cringe.
