Translation and its tasks start right from the start when the brands start detailing their journey and translating the content into new language markets. They have to face a choice and stick to it for effective expansion of their business which is either translation or localization. People often take it identically in the start but the process gets different sooner as these hold an element of the crossover. However, making the right choice between both can elevate your business and make it successful in the new markets, and likewise going low and average can make it a failure too.
Here are the basic details which further make the reader get into detail about how translation and localization are different and in which cases these are evident to use. Professional translation services have become a fundamental step in either case.
Translation vs Localization: Top 5 Differences & Comparison
The translation is one significant part of localization. It is as connected to localization as keyword research is the starting point for search engine optimization (SEO). Both are different processes and carry their significance. However, translation is primarily important as the first and foremost part of localization.
The translation is the conversion of a given content from a source language to the target language. This exercise can also be performed by machine translation or human language experts can be hired for the job. This can vary with the specification as required by the project. Once a message is converted into another language, the next phase gets started. The translation is evident to convert the message of the communication whereas localization is needed to make adaptations as per the choices of the global audiences. The translation is important to speak to the customer’s minds and localization is evident to get connected to their hearts.
How and When to Localize and Translate the Content?
It is significant to hire the best and most professional website localization services. For instance, if you as a business owner and have to carry out an advertising campaign where you need to translate the content from English to French, you can simply hire a translator who has experience in the French language and is native to it and can translate in a day and call it quits.
However, if you need to carry out the process for two markets simultaneously French and Canada, the translation alone would not do the job. There are a lot of differences between both markets and you have to localize for each market with great focus.
1. Considering Language Variants
First of all the French language which comes from France and the one which is spoken in Canada come with different backgrounds and these use different words and phrases. The dialects and nuances are also dissimilar as the Francophones in Canada have a lot of variations which have to be reviewed and checked by each language expert.
2. Considering Currency Unit
Moreover, if you get to translate your content from British English the translator will have to check the details regarding currency and pricing too. The currency for France is Euro and Canada uses it as The Canadian dollar. Also, the original content might have included pounds Sterling for the British audience. The straight translation might not adapt to these changes and consider the original currency.
However, during the localization process changes are considered to ensure that they are right for the region which you are targeting. Localization has also to be carried out very vigilantly for the medical devices and text too and hence, accurate medical translation services are a must for the purpose. Moreover, data and time conventions are equally significant, and Canada uses a combination of French and American formats and styles.
3. Images and Visuals in the Localization
Visuals and images and their adaptation are of great concern in the global market. On the other hand, the designs which are a good fit and get along in one market might not go well and the same in the other market. Cultural and regional different hold great importance in the localization process. As these are significant to tell the right visual story. A translation though is confined to the text and its conversion whereas localization talks about every aspect of the content.
4. National Landmarks
Considering the French and Canadian markets, you can use the Eiffel tower’s images as a symbol of the country, people see and get how it is about France. But this image can not strike the right balance with Canadian audiences. They will remain clueless and will be thinking about why is it used for that purpose. The image of football can be used for French audiences as football is a favorite sport over there whereas it might not go right with the Canadian customer.
5. Colors and their Significance
Similarly, colors also hold importance. These carry different significances for different regions. Green for instance can be taken as meaningful color and may invoke a variety of emotions all around the world.
Irish people consider green color luck whereas the Japanese take it as a color of vitality and long life. Mexicans celebrate the green color as freedom and independence.
Therefore, these examples state how localization is dealt with at a closer and deeper level where colors, images, writing formats, date, currency, and every single thing matter, and you simply can not mess with these traditional descriptions.
Many translation companies in the USA are now into localization too. It is always recommended to hire a translation vendor who can carry out localization too as they would be able to communicate the translation matters more relevantly.
Final Words:
Translation and localization go in parallel. People often take these both as the same, however, these are different on many levels. Translation deals with the conversion of text from one language to another, however, localization talks about the adaption and modification of the content, audio video files, images, and a lot more.
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