When thinking about rendering a text from one language into another, we usually think of translation. Sometimes, however, translating the text alone is not enough for it to be effective, understandable, and to fulfil the same role as it did in the source language. In such situations, what we need is localization.
What is localization?
Although the concept of localization is not at all new, many people who decide to order a translation still don’t know what this service actually involves. In short, it is preparing a translation in such a way that it is as close as possible to the original, or fulfils the same functions as the source text. The localization service can therefore include translating the text as well as supporting services such as preparing it for print, developing terminology, or ensuring technical consistency. Localization can also cover the translation process itself and involve adapting the text to the conditions prevailing in another country.
How does translation usually work?
Translation is a one-off service that involves rendering a text from one language into another. The client provides the translator with a text and expects material in the target language in return. At this stage, the collaboration ends. If the client wants to commission the translator again, they send further content and once again wait for the results of the translation. The person carrying out the work works only with the text and usually tries only to mirror the structure of the original. They focus, however, on the words and sentences they are translating, not on graphic aspects.
Translation vs. localization
When it comes to localization, however, explaining what it involves is much more difficult. In truth, precisely defining the scope of this service is not possible, since it largely depends on the client’s needs and expectations. Essentially, localization can concern the graphic sphere of a project, as well as the linguistic sphere, or even the mental sphere. People who decide to order a translation often don’t think about whether they actually need localization of the text. A competent translation agency should, however, already suggest additional localization services to the client at the outset, which can turn out to be a great convenience for them.
Localization – the graphic aspect
As already mentioned, localization can involve processing of the translated text. If a client sends a file for translation in a non-editable format, they cannot expect the translation to look exactly like the original. Advanced tools and skills going far beyond translation will be needed to prepare a file in the same format. A similar situation applies to preparing text for print. Sentences or words in different languages can differ in length, which can cause so-called text overflow issues. A localization service will help avoid these kinds of problems.
Language localization – adapting content to the recipient
Besides processing and preparing text, language localization can also concern the actual rendering of ideas into a foreign language. To illustrate what we mean, it’s best to use an example. Translating a marketing campaign may require more than simply replacing words in one language with words from another. Sometimes the content also needs to be adapted so it is understandable to a recipient living in a different culture. This may require introducing many changes, and the final text may not contain exactly the same elements as the source at all. Language localization therefore requires the translator to have extensive knowledge of the realities of the given country. We encounter localization on this scale most often in the case of video games, software, websites, or various kinds of campaigns.
