about us

Distinctly Dutch, Ltd., a Chicago-based company, provides quality English into Dutch/Flemish and Dutch/Flemish into English translation and interpreting services in a variety of fields. Distinctly Dutch was founded by Diane Van Hoof, Ph.D., a native speaker of Dutch/Flemish and a translator/interpreter since 1994.  

Diane Van Hoof obtained an M.A. in Germanic Philology (the study of English and Dutch literature and linguistics) of the University of Antwerp in Belgium and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature of the University of Georgia in the US. She worked in academia for 10 years, teaching writing and literature courses (résumé). She also developed a series of Dutch language courses for the Belgian Embassy in Washington DC and a course entitled “History and Civilization of the Low Countries” for the College of Notre Dame in Maryland. Her clients include pharmaceuticals, companies that manufacture medical instruments, international law firms, marketing and consulting firms. As a native speaker, she is in tune with the cultural and linguistic nuances between the various regions where Dutch/Flemish is spoken. Distinctly Dutch limits itself to Dutch translations, interpreting and voice-overs.

Diane Van Hoof is a member of the ATA (American Translators Association), CHICATA (Chicago Area Translators and Interpreters Association), Belgian-American Club of Chicago and EuroChicago. She is currently the chairperson of the Chicago chapter of the Belgian-American Chamber of Commerce.