Work & approach
The decisions behind
effective Dutch.
Five examples of the translation and localization challenges I work on, from patient information to product experiences.
01 / Medical & healthcare
Clear for the patient. Precise about the risks.
The brief
Translate medical-device information into Dutch for patients who need to understand the device, the procedure, and what to expect afterward—not decode a clinical report.
The work
The difficult part is making the language accessible without making the medical meaning less precise. A possible complication must not become an expected outcome. A risk associated with the procedure must not be presented as a risk caused by the device.
I translate and review patient information and medical-device safety content, paying particular attention to terminology, warnings, and follow-up instructions. Where the source is ambiguous, I raise a question rather than silently make a medical judgment.
What I deliver
Dutch medical information that preserves the source’s distinctions and level of certainty, with consistent terminology and wording suited to its intended readers.
02 / Legal & compliance
Translating the contract without changing the obligation.
The brief
Produce a Dutch version of commercial terms or a customer agreement that preserves who is responsible for what, under which conditions, and with which exceptions.
The work
A sentence can sound perfectly natural while subtly changing the agreement. “May” can express permission or possibility. A misplaced qualification can make an exception appear to apply to an entire clause rather than one part of it.
I work through obligations, permissions, conditions, and exclusions against the source, keeping defined terms and cross-references consistent. I restructure dense sentences where Dutch requires it, without simplifying away their substance. Questions about the intended legal meaning go back to the content owner.
What I deliver
A carefully checked Dutch translation, with consistent contractual terminology and clearly documented queries where the source needs clarification.
03 / UI & UX
A short label. A very specific action.
The brief
Localize a software release containing buttons, settings, onboarding steps, and error messages—often supplied as isolated strings with limited space.
The work
“Save,” “Apply,” and “Done” may all fit on a button, but they do not necessarily describe the same action. The translation needs to reflect what the interface actually does, not just what the English word usually means.
I check the relationship between labels, instructions, and system messages, using screenshots or product context where available. I shorten Dutch around the action the user needs to understand, preserve variables and tags, and keep recurring features recognizable across screens. Error messages receive the same attention: what happened, and what can the user do next?
What I deliver
Dutch interface strings checked for meaning, consistency, and the agreed space constraints, with missing context flagged before implementation.
04 / Marketing & campaigns
Keeping the idea when the wordplay doesn’t travel.
The brief
Adapt an English-language lifestyle campaign into Dutch across headlines, email subject lines, advertising, and landing pages.
The work
An English headline may work because of a double meaning, a familiar expression, or a particular rhythm. Translating every word can lose everything that made it effective.
I start with the selling idea and rebuild the line in Dutch, matching the brand’s personality rather than the English sentence structure. For products such as earplugs or audio equipment, that means making the experience appealing without turning a carefully worded benefit into an unsupported promise. I also adapt the copy to each placement: an email subject line and a landing-page headline do not have to do the same job.
What I deliver
Dutch campaign copy shaped for its channel, with headline alternatives where useful and a consistent voice from the first impression to the call to action.
05 / E-commerce & luxury
Creating desire without losing the product details.
The brief
Localize a fashion or accessories collection into Dutch, from individual product descriptions to category pages, filters, and recurring shopping content.
The work
A luxury product page has to create desire and explain exactly what the customer is buying. The description can be expressive; the material, finish, construction, and measurements cannot be approximate.
I adapt the brand’s language into natural Dutch while keeping model names and product details accurate. A pointed toe, a low-cut vamp, and a particular leather finish each need the right wording—not a generic description that could belong to any shoe. Across the collection, I harmonize recurring terminology and carry it through to navigation and filters, so the shop does not sound like several unrelated translations.
What I deliver
Distinctive Dutch product and category copy, supported by consistent terminology across the collection and the surrounding shopping experience.
Let’s make your Dutch
work for your business.
Launching, improving, or scaling? Tell me what you’re working on.