English-Dutch Marketing Translator

Sometimes, a word, or an expression, simply doesn’t translate from one language into the other. 🔁   In marketing and localization, we aren't just swapping nouns and verbs; we are capturing a specific vibe. If you don’t adjust the words, the message falls flat.   I recently had to think about this English idiom: "X walked, so Y could run." 🏃‍♂️ It’s punchy, memorable, and instantly communicates progress and legacy. But a literal Dutch translation ("X liep, zodat Y kon rennen") sounds like a report from a track meet. The metaphorical "punch" is completely lost. 😑   So what does this phrase actually do?🤔   It contrasts past and present. It’s bold. It has attitude. In Dutch, we value punchy directness, so I pivoted to: "X? Nee, Y!" 💥This works because it’s snappy, assertive, and trades American sentimentality for Dutch "nuchterheid" (no-nonsense wit).   Proof that to truly connect with your audience, you sometimes have to let go of the original wording entirely. When your brand's message relies on nuance, a literal translation can do more harm than good.   Need a Dutch translator, or do you know someone who might? Then hit me up or share this post! 😊   #LITranslators #MarketingTranslator #Transcreation #BoardGameTranslator #Localization #DutchTranslator   [This post was written in English, if you’re seeing another language, it may have been auto-translated.]