The Relationship Between Translation and Localisation

27th November 2024

Matilda Lailey

Views differ amongst LSPs as to how localisation is conceptualised and marketed to customers. At Andiamo, we believe translation and localisation are different sides of the same coin, and that localisation can be incorporated holistically with translation projects.

How are Translation and Localisation Different?

While translation is the process of adapting content from one language to another, localisation is the process of making a product suitable for a specific territory, by adapting not only the language, but currency symbols, the formatting of time, dates and measurements, cultural references, imagery, colours, layouts, software specifications, legal terms, music and more.

While some language service providers separate translation and localisation, for example, viewing the adaptation of measurements within an instruction manual translation project as a separate localisation job, our translators tackle both elements as one. In our initial analysis of files when we receive them for translation, we will assess whether localisation is required and tailor our approach accordingly.

Translation projects that don’t require localisation tend to be technical content that doesn’t need to be adapted for a specific territory.

On the other hand, there are some localisation projects that don’t require a translation component, for example, the brochure of a US brand wouldn’t need to be translated for a UK-English audience, but cultural references, images, and references to measurements or currency might need to be localised, and US spellings adapted to British English.

Translation and localisation

Exploring the Role of Translation and Localisation

Let’s take an example of a Japanese video game that is due to be sold in the UK, to better understand how translation and localisation are used together.

This example not only clearly demonstrates the different applications of translation and localisation, and how they work together, but shows that localisation goes beyond adapting the text, and deals with every element of the product, and preparing it for release in a specific territory.

Translation and localisation

The Importance of Localisation

Now we’ve covered the differences between translation and localisation, and how we use localisation with our translation projects, we need to understand its importance.

The Applications of Localisation

While the items in the list below would require both translation and localisation, we’re going to focus on the localisation elements, to better understand its common applications.

Web Apps, Mobile Apps and Software

Video Games

Marketing Campaigns, Branding, and Ecommerce Websites

Packaging

Food & Drink Products

Automotive

Localisation is also a big part of the projects we work on for clients in the Tourism and Finance sector, amongst others.

Translation and localisation

How to Know if You Need Translation or Localisation

Below is a quick way to identify if your project will require both translation and localisation, or just translation.

If your business is looking to sell into foreign markets, especially those culturally different to that of the business, localisation should be an essential part of your translation projects.

However, texts that aren’t especially cultural, projects without software or image components, or documents like contracts, IFUs, technical manuals, product specifications, consent forms, and service communications, usually only require translation. Similarly, if you’re in the medical, technical, engineering, IT, or legal sector, your content/product is less likely to require localisation.

Translation and localisation

The Benefits of Localisation

Contact our team today to discuss your translation and localisation requirements, and learn how we can support your business’s growth.

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