Answer

Fifties Brussels where de Kuyper grew up, was bilingual to him, becasue he spoke Dutch at home and French everywhere else. But now, when he returns as a student, he will be on his own. He will have to function entirely in a French environment. Naturally, there will be other Dutch speakers in Brussels, but in those days, these will mainly belong to the lower social classes. In the student and artistic circles he will move in, communication will be in French.

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