(Neder)brackets

Dutch authors have a particular way of (ab)using brackets in technical, legal and semi-technical writing.
This page documents and analyses these constructions, which I refer to as (Neder)brackets.

They are a frequent source of ambiguity and mistranslation when Dutch texts are rendered into English.

The clearest discussion of this phenomenon can be found in ‘Righting English that’s gone Dutch’ by Joy Burrough-Boenisch, in the chapter ‘Bracket (ab)use’.

Brackets in English vs Dutch

English usage (normal)

In English, brackets are used to:

• explain
• clarify
• comment

They are parenthetical and secondary. Removing the bracketed text should leave a complete and coherent sentence.

Example:

mapping functionality (semi-autonomous)

This means:

• mapping functionality
• with a clarification: it is semi-autonomous

Dutch usage (problematic)

In Dutch technical writing, brackets are often used to save space, not to clarify.

They frequently pack two meanings into one term, for example:

• alternatives
• scope extensions
• optional inclusions

This is where problems arise in translation.

Example:

(semi-)autonome mappingfunctionaliteit

This does not necessarily mean the same thing as the English parenthetical form.

The two possible interpretations

Every instance of a Nederbracket must be analysed using two competing interpretations:

1. Dutch-style interpretation

(two meanings packed into one term)

The bracketed element is optional or additive, meaning:

• X and/or Y
• X or Y
• X including Y

2. English-style interpretation

(bracket as clarification)

The bracketed element narrows or explains the main term.

The translator’s task is to determine which interpretation the author intended.

Worked examples

Example 1: (semi-)autonome mappingfunctionaliteit

Dutch-style (most common in patents):

• autonome mappingfunctionaliteit en/of semi-autonome mappingfunctionaliteit

English translation:

• autonomous mapping functionality and/or semi-autonomous mapping functionality
• autonomous or semi-autonomous mapping functionality

English-style (less common):

• mapping functionality, specifically semi-autonomous

English translation:

• autonomous mapping functionality, specifically semi-autonomous mapping functionality

Example 2: (roer)bakken

Dutch-style:

• bakken en/of roerbakken

English translation:

• frying and/or stir-frying

English-style:

• bakken, specifically roerbakken

English translation:

• frying; specifically stir-frying

Example 3: (afval)water

This is extremely common in environmental and wastewater texts.

Dutch-style (very common):

• afval en/of afvalwater

Correct English resolution:

• waste and/or wastewater

English-style (rare in practice):

• water, specifically wastewater

Translation:

• water (specifically wastewater)

👉 In technical English, explicitly spelling out the scope is almost always preferable.

Typical Nederbracket patterns and safe resolutions

Scope-expanding brackets

Narrowing / clarifying brackets

Ambiguous or dangerous cases

These require careful contextual analysis and often cannot be resolved mechanically:

• (kern)waarden
• (mogelijk) probleem
• (on)belangrijk
• (on)veiligheidsgevoel
• (na)bloeiend

In such cases, translators should:

1. Analyse the surrounding context
2. Decide whether scope is being expanded or narrowed
3. Rewrite explicitly in English

Translation strategy (recommended)

General rule

If a Dutch bracket expands scope, spell it out explicitly in English.
If it clarifies or narrows meaning, rephrase without brackets.

What to avoid in English

• copying Dutch brackets verbatim
• constructions like waste(water) or semi(-)autonomous
• relying on the reader to infer scope

These are unidiomatic and sometimes legally risky.

Practical takeaway

Dutch Nederbrackets are:

• compact
• ambiguous
• context-dependent

English translations must be:

• explicit
• unpacked
• legally and technically precise

When in doubt, spell it out.

See also

• Joy Burrough-Boenisch, Righting English that’s gone Dutch, chapter Bracket (ab)use
• Beijerterm entries on: afvalwater, vergisting, screening vs filtration

Categories

• Dutch–English translation
• Dunglish
• Technical terminology
• Legal drafting