Flemish translator

Flemish is not a separate language but the Belgian variant of standard Dutch (ISO 639-3 nld). Spelling and grammar are governed jointly through the Dutch Language Union and its official word list. The differences with the Netherlands sit in register, vocabulary, idiom and administrative terminology. That is why we usually speak of localisation into Belgian Dutch rather than translation between two languages.

As a Flemish translation agency we adapt your text into the Belgian Dutch register: administrative terms, institution names, idiom and tone of address are matched to the Flemish and Brussels reader. A Netherlands online shop or brochure reads differently in Flanders when the word choice and tone have not been adapted, even when the spelling is correct. We make sure the text reads as if it came from Flanders.

The differences sit mainly in everyday and administrative words: 'gsm' versus 'mobiel' for a mobile phone, 'schepen' versus 'wethouder' for an alderman, and 'ondernemingsnummer' or the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises versus the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce. There are also differences in idiom and sentence structure. We keep a glossary per project so the Flemish register stays consistent across your whole text.

It depends on the receiving country. In the UK there is no sworn-translator institute, so for official acceptance we provide certified translation — a signed statement of accuracy — which can be escalated to notarisation by a solicitor or notary public, or to an apostille or legalisation through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Where a Belgian authority requires a sworn translation, that runs through Belgium's National Register of sworn translators and interpreters (NRBVT), administered by the Federal Public Service Justice. We confirm the right route per document in the quote.

On working days you receive a reply within 1 hour. The lead time for the work itself depends on document type, volume and any required certification, and is confirmed in the quote. For tight deadlines we confirm a workable rush schedule up front rather than promising a fixed turnaround.

A Flemish translation agency takes the coordination off your hands. We select a translator with a Flemish background who localises your text into the right register, arrange certification or sworn work through the relevant system where an authority requires it, and have the work checked by a second reviewer. You keep one point of contact for register, terminology, scheduling and delivery, all under a single quote. A skilled freelance translator does excellent work too; the difference an agency adds is bringing those moving parts together so you are not managing them separately.