What is localization?

Localization goes beyond simple “regular” translation and incorporates the cultural dimension. This requirement is inherent to the internationalization of global commerce. This service is called localization and differs from translation in several ways.

In most cases, the process of localization deals with cultural adaptation. Localization is needed for regions or countries where different languages are spoken or for regions or countries where dialects or variants of the same language are spoken. Thus, Spanish as spoken in Spain differs from Spanish as spoken in South America, and similarly, idioms and word choices vary between the countries where English is the official language: the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, etc.

Localization best practices

Localization also brings to translation an advisory component. The “localizer” is a real player in the company’s internationalization. As experts in the target market, able to guide clients through their implementation strategies, they are entrusted with this cultural task. Localization requires that the entire structure of presentation be re-
thought.