Transcription
Transcribing is rewriting a text written in old Dutch in a modern font. With transcription, the original language is preserved. It is therefore not modernized. The advantage is that the old handwriting, which is unreadable for many people, is now made pleasantly readable.
Transcribing old documents is a fascinating activity. It is often fascinating to read what was written down centuries ago. By deciphering the old script, you are deeply involved with both the content and the language used. This provides insight into the development of the language and the script.
Nowadays, old manuscripts are no longer readable for everyone. While researchers and lawyers, for example, do benefit from an accurate retranslation of ’their’ document.
Recently, we have seen an increase in law firms finding their way to us at OudSchrift.nl. These lawyers often have cadastral documents that have faded so badly that they have become difficult to read. We do not shy away from this and provide you with an accurate transcription. We usually achieve 100% process certainty. This is in the interest of you and your client. Now it is finally clear what really happened with, for example, the right of way or that disputed parcel separation.
Another interesting approach are the requests from Suriname, Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. These countries and (former) overseas territories of the Netherlands have rich archives with old Dutch manuscripts. But the number of people who can read this is decreasing. While there are many people with genealogical questions, for example, who would like to know exactly what is in these archives. OudSchrift.nl is also happy to rummage through these archives for you. For example, the National Archives in The Hague alone keeps more than 750 archives about Suriname. Here you can still find a wealth of information about the slave trade, contract workers, government and trade.
This also applies to the archives in South Africa, for example. And various other African and Eastern archives contain Dutch-language documents. Feel free to send us your photos or scans of these documents. We will usually let you know within one or two days what the possibilities are and what the costs are for transcription and/or translation and retranslation. Translation from Dutch to English is also possible.
Please note: only send us files with handwritten, Dutch or Flemish texts.
Translating Old Dutch
In addition to transcribing, OudSchrift.nl also provides translations from old Dutch to modern Dutch. That is an art in itself. It is not only about transcribing or converting old Dutch into readable text, but also about translating words that have sometimes fallen into disuse. That is what makes translating texts from old Dutch to modern Dutch so much fun. Something that we are also happy to do for you. Do you not only want your document transcribed but also translated from old Dutch to modern Dutch? Send us your file and you will hear very soon what the possibilities are.
Old Dutch translator
A translator of Old Dutch is accurate in his work. It takes a great deal of experience and ‘flying hours’ to be able to translate old texts. At OudSchrift.nl we master this profession. Our motto is:
You should be able to read old texts as easily as the newspaper.
So feel free to ask for a no-obligation quote for your translation work of Old Dutch texts. We are happy to assist you.