Translation vs Localization: The Differences

Translation and localization are becoming increasingly important for businesses’ global expansion strategies. They are two distinct, yet complementary processes that play a crucial role in reaching and engaging with global markets. But first, what makes them different from each other? It is important to understand the differences between translation and localization before implementing them.

What Are Translation and Localization?

Translation is converting text or spoken content from one language into another, ensuring that the original meaning, tone, and context remain as accurate as possible. It aims to deliver a text that communicates the same message to speakers of the target language as it does to those of the source language. In short, translation focuses on converting a message to the audience’s native language, bridging the language barrier.?

Localization is adapting a product, service, or message to a particular region, country, and market. Hence, they feel like it was created specially for them, enhancing acceptance and success. In other words, with localization, businesses aim to modify the experience to adapt to what resonates best with their target market.

Main Differences

Scope and Focus

Translation focuses primarily on converting text from one language to another, while localization goes beyond text translation to adapt content for local preferences. According to Lion Bridge: “Translation is the process of changing your text into another language, but localization is far more wide-reaching. In fact, translation can be considered as just one part of the localization process.”

The main element involved in translation is language (while cultural understanding and specialized knowledge help translators and interpreters to ensure the original meaning remains intact).?

Meanwhile, beyond language, localization includes adapting images, colors, symbols (even emojis), units of measurement, date and time formats, currency, legal requirements, etc. Since localization aims to resonate with the target audience’s cultural norms and values, it can modify and adapt idioms, jokes, cultural references, and even marketing slogans to ensure they are understood and appreciated by the local audience.

Outcome and Impact

For translation, the outcome must stay accurate and faithful to the source material, maintaining the same meaning and context. The translation and the original are consistent. It enables clear communication across different languages, breaking language barriers.?

For localization, the outcome is about cultural relevance, engagement, adaptation, and compliance. Localized content is tailored to fit the local target audience, making the content feel native and personalized, leading to better user experiences. More than breaking the language barrier and having clear communication, localization helps businesses resonate with local audiences and build stronger connections by showing respect and understanding of their culture.

Synergy of Translation and Localization

While localization and translation are distinct processes with different focuses, they are not mutually exclusive. Instead, they are complementary practices that together will enable effective communication and engagement with a global audience. Both processes ensure that the message remains consistent and coherent across different markets, tailored to local contexts while maintaining the core message.?

Localization requires translation while translation benefits from localization. You cannot localize content without first translating it into the target language. Every localization effort begins with translation, which is then followed by cultural and contextual adaptation.?

Even in straightforward translation, there is often a need to adapt certain phrases and idioms to make the content resonate more effectively with the target audience. High-quality translations take into account cultural nuances, idioms, and context, which are core aspects of localization.

Conclusion

Understanding the distinctions between translation and localization is crucial for any business aiming to reach and engage a diverse international audience. Translation focuses on language, while localization goes beyond that. However, these processes are not mutually exclusive but are inherently complementary. Businesses should embrace translation and localization into their global strategy to thrive in the global marketplace.