The Dutch language in its colonies never became as dominant and
generally spoken as for instance the Engish language became in
Britain's colonies. It was mostly spoken by the Dutch themselves
living there and by the "educated" or ruling local people, either
because they had attended Dutch-language schools and universities
or because of very frequent contact with the Dutch.
Only in Surinam and the formerly Dutch Caribean islands - until
very recently or even now part of the Dutch commonwealth - is Dutch
still generally understood by the local people. Even there the
spoken language is usually the local language.