Academic Thesis Translation for the Netherlands

Open access and marks of distinction

Dutch theses are usually published in the open access repositories of the universities; in that setting a thesis’s bibliographic record, its abstract and its keywords are what get searched, and translating them accurately affects how easily the work can be found. Source titles and publication details are an identity; they are not translated but kept as they stand. Work linked to industry may carry an embargo deferring access; a clause of that kind is stated in the translation, because it shows when the work may be shared.

A mark of distinction on a Dutch thesis (cum laude and the like) is awarded only in limited cases and is conveyed exactly as the document has it; it is not equated with a Turkish graduation grade or with any other system. Units of measurement, formulae and symbols are preserved without conversion, since they form part of the scientific content. Which part of the thesis is to be translated, and into which language, is settled at the outset; this prevents both an unnecessary widening of scope and the delay that a translation into the wrong language would cause.

The defence ceremony and the annexes to the thesis

In the Dutch doctoral tradition the defence (promotie) is a ceremony with formal rules of its own, and the thesis is often published as a printed book. Where a thesis written in Turkish is being carried into this setting, the scope the translation will cover – the full text, or the summary and certain sections – is learnt from the receiving university. Because the great majority of higher-level programmes are taught in English, an English text is in many cases accepted directly; some procedures, however, may call for a Dutch translation, so the target language is settled at the outset.

Dutch theses often carry short propositions (stellingen) appended at the end; these annexes count as part of the thesis and are included in the translation where required. Leaving out an annexe or a section makes the thesis look incomplete. The established terminology of the field in the target language is taken as the basis, and a concept is referred to by a single equivalent throughout the text; source publication details and formulae are neither translated nor converted, because they form part of the scientific content.

If the document is going to more than one recipient – a university, Nuffic or an employer – each may expect a different language and format; separating those expectations at the outset saves having the same thesis translated twice. Confirming the target language in writing with the institution applied to is the safest step. A readable and consistent translation is the precondition for a reviewer or an assessor reading the work without delay; a translation that is hard to follow can leave even strong research struggling in assessment.

The proefschrift and the reach of English-taught programmes

In Dutch academia a doctoral thesis (proefschrift) is usually defended at a promotie ceremony, and most higher-level programmes are taught in English. That bears directly on the target language: while many universities and journals accept an English text as it stands, certain official procedures or recognition processes may call for a Dutch translation. The language into which the thesis is to be translated therefore needs settling at the outset; a translation into the wrong language sets the process back a round.

The samenvatting and the Nuffic context

In Dutch theses the summary (samenvatting) and the English abstract are the first part of the work to be searched; an accurate translation of them bears directly on visibility. Recognition of the degree is Nuffic’s business, whereas a thesis translation makes no claim to equivalence; it conveys the content of the research. In an application file the thesis may be submitted together with the diploma and the academic transcript, in which case the spelling of names and the name of the institution must be consistent across every document.

Certification and common mistakes

In academic translation the deciding factor is usually the scholarly quality and the consistency of the text rather than any official certification. Even so, an application file or a recognition file may call for a sworn translation, and in that case the translator’s Rbtv registration or the Türkiye chain (sworn translator + notarisation + apostille) comes into play.

• Confirm the target language (English or Dutch) with the institution.
• Translate a concept with a single equivalent throughout the text.
• Do not translate or convert source publication details and formulae.

The Netherlands is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention; if official certification is needed, confirm the current position from the official HCCH list. You can send us your text from our single office in Kızılay, Ankara, see the cost on our pricing page and upload your work to request a quote. This page is for general information; confirm the exact requirements with the university or institution concerned.