The 3 most common language mistakes in Dutch technical writing and how to avoid them

In the world of technical writing, especially within the areas of engineering and computer engineering, English terms are often found in Dutch texts. This is not surprising, considering English words sometimes have a clearer meaning than their Dutch counterparts do. Take the word ‘computer’, for example. Dutch people use this word in their everyday language, without even considering that it is originally an English word. In many cases, it is efficient to use English terms, especially when it comes to technical documentation. But if English is not used correctly, sometimes language errors arise, which can lead to confusion. This is especially true for translations from Dutch into English and vice versa, a process that requires a lot of attention from both a technical writer and a translator.

In this article, we discuss three common language mistakes that often occur in technical documentation and technical writing. These errors often arise due to the influence that English has on the Dutch language. We offer solutions to every problem so that you, as a technical writer, can deliver error-free texts.

1. Spaces in compound nouns – The problem

In Dutch, compound nouns are very common. When we combine two or more words, they often have to be written together, e.g. ‘natteboltemperatuur’ (the Dutch translation of ‘wet bulb temperature’). However, the English language tends to add spaces between each word. After all, ‘wetbulbtemperature’ would not be correct. This difference in spelling often leads to errors when technical writers and translators work from English into Dutch. Let’s take a look at another example: ‘hallogeenlamp’ (‘halogen lamp’ in English). If you were to write this with spaces in Dutch, you’d get ‘hallo geen lamp’ (‘hello no lamp’ in English). As you can see, words can get a completely different meaning when adding extra spaces in Dutch and especially in technical documentation you want to avoid ambiguity at all costs.

The solution:

In Dutch, it is important to write compound nouns together, even if they seem odd. When the composition becomes difficult to read, you can use a hyphen to increase readability, e.g. ‘montage-uitleg’. Do not always trust your word processor’s spell checker, as it is often influenced by the English rules and incorrectly suggests writing words separately.

2. Incorrect comma usage – The problem

The comma is an important punctuation mark in both Dutch and English. It provides structure to a sentence and makes reading easier. However, there are differences between the use of commas in the two languages. In English, a comma is often placed after an adverbial clause at the beginning of a sentence, for example: ‘In this machine factory, various train parts are made’. In Dutch, a comma should not be placed there: ‘In deze machinefabriek worden onderdelen voor treinonderstellen gemaakt.’ Using a comma after an adverbial clause could cause confusion.

The solution:

As a technical writer, it is essential to not use commas after adverbial clauses describing a time or place, unless a brief pause is absolutely necessary. Make sure the sentence is clear and has a natural flow, without unnecessary commas.

3. English verbs in Dutch – The problem

English verbs are increasingly used in Dutch technical documentation, especially in the areas of IT and engineering. Many people incorrectly use the English verb forms in Dutch. But why do English verb forms lead to problems? This is because of their Dutch pronunciation. The -e at the end of ‘delete’ isn’t pronounced in the present tense ‘Ik delete de bestanden’ (‘I delete the files’ in English). In the past tense, however, Dutch grammar rules state that a singular verb ends in -te, for example ‘Ik werkte’ (‘I worked’). Because words like ‘delete’ or ‘update’ already end with -te, they often form a problem when conjugating them in Dutch.

The solution:

Make sure that English verbs in Dutch follow the same rules as Dutch verbs do. The first step is to create a Dutch infinitive for the English verb by ensuring that it ends in -en, e.g. ‘deleten’. Then use the Dutch conjugation, for example ‘Ik deletete het bestand’ (‘I deleted the file’). Keep in mind that the pronunciation of these verbs in Dutch does not always follow their Dutch spelling. ‘Deletete’ in the example mentioned above would be pronounced as ‘delete-uh’.

Conclusion

As a technical writer or translator working with both Dutch and English, it is crucial to keep an eye on these common mistakes. Incorrect spaces, commas and verb conjugations can lead to confused readers. And especially in technical documentation, you want to make sure that that doesn’t happen. By avoiding these mistakes, you ensure that your texts are clear, professional and error-free.

Need more help with technical documentation or the translation of technical texts? Check out the Foxiz Academy, where we offer training courses for technical writers. Our training courses, such as Writing Guide and Target-oriented Writing, will help you improve your writing skills and expand your knowledge of technical documentation.

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