Context: Old Dutch naturally evolved into Middle Dutch. The year 1150 is often cited as the time of the discontinuity, but it actually marks a time of profuse Dutch writing and during this period a rich Medieval Dutch literature developed. There was at that time no overarching standard language; Middle Dutch is rather a collective name for a number of closely related dialects whose ancestor was Old Dutch. But they were all mutually intelligible. In fact, since Dutch is a rather conservative language, the various literary works of that time today are often very readable for modern-day speakers.

Question: What language did Middle Dutch come from?
Answer: Old Dutch

Question: What year do some researchers say marked the point when Old Dutch morphed?
Answer: 1150

Question: Rather than a single language, what group sharing origins in Old Dutch does the term "Middle Dutch" refer to?
Answer: closely related dialects

Question: Would a text written in Middle Dutch be readable or unintelligible for a Dutch speaker today?
Answer: readable