What does a translator actually do?
Chances are you have never met a translator before and perhaps you assumed they had become extinct after the rise of Google Translate, DeepL and ChatGPT. While such tools can come in handy, they are and will remain just tools. When the stakes are high and you need quality translation, hiring a professional is still your best option.
A professional translator possesses a thorough knowledge not only of the languages they translate from and into, but also of the culture of the countries where those languages are spoken. Translation is not solely about converting words, but also about conveying the original author’s message and ideas. A translator is a critical reader who wants to understand every aspect of the original text. Once they are armed with all the facts, they create a translation that is linguistically perfect and that fully meets the reader’s or user’s needs.
Private individuals often require the assistance of a translator for certified translations of official documents. You will find more information about this below, but I am, of course, equally happy to help you if you need another type of translation.
Please note we are talking about the translation of texts here. Translating conversations is the work of an interpreter and that is a different profession altogether. However, I may be able to recommend an interpreter depending on your needs.
Example situation
You would like to buy a property in the Netherlands and the notary public sends you a lengthy document entitled Overdrachtsakte. You want to understand its exact contents before signing anything.
Certified translation
As a sworn translator, I can offer certified translations, which are authenticated translations of official documents such as passports, diplomas, notarial deeds, and birth, marriage or death certificates. A certified translation is a legally valid document that you may need for a lawsuit or for government procedures in the Netherlands or elsewhere.
I am registered as a sworn translator in the Netherlands in the Sworn Interpreters and Translators Register under Wbtv Number 16467 for the following language combinations: English into Dutch, Dutch into English, French into Dutch and Dutch into French. While I primarily translate from English and French into Dutch, I do not compromise on quality when translating from Dutch into English or French.
A frequently asked question is whether my certified translations are also valid in Belgium. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Belgium has its own legislation for certified translations. If you need to use the translation outside of the Netherlands, local authorities may impose additional requirements, such as an apostille or attestation. I strongly recommend that you verify carefully with the local authorities exactly what they require from you. If required, I can arrange the apostille or the full or partial legalisation at the local Dutch district court for an additional fee.
Example situation
A distant relative in the Netherlands has sadly passed away. You are one of the beneficiaries of the estate, but you will have to deal with formalities and red tape in a language you do not understand.