What do you think when you hear the word localization?
If you are not in the translation business, you are probably not used to this word much, but as a translator, you will face it over and over again.
Localization is exactly what the word suggests: make something local.
In the video games industry, localization is often the only way to go as you have to be sure that the players can relate to the game in the same way, no matter where they play from.
Likewise, if you want to grow your business and reach foreign countries, localization could be the best choice to make your brand local for the specific market you are targeting.
The things to be localized go from the simple prices, currencies, and units of measure to more complicated puns, word plays, and celebrities that won’t recall anything in other countries.
But how to understand if your business needs translation or localization?
To figure out that, ask yourself two simple questions:
👉🏻 Do my texts include lots of measurements, currencies, and prices different from the ones in the market I want to enter?
👉🏻 Does my content have an excessive number of puns, wordplays, and references that won’t be understandable by a foreign audience with a basic translation?
If the answer to both questions is yes, then you need localization, if you are not sure about it, I would always suggest seeking expert advice that can analyze your content and suggest the best solution.
All that being said, sometimes localization won’t be enough: when a text is very creative you may require what we call transcreation.
Wonder what this is and if it could be the best choice for your business? Read my article about it.