Support For Technology Tech 7 Difference between localization and translation you didn’t know

7 Difference between localization and translation you didn’t know



When you are building a website for attracting audience globally, then you must pay more attention to your content and make it more flexible for the global audience. This will help to grow your retention rate. The translation and content localization will take the user experience of foreign visitors to your website a notch higher. But, what about the people who don’t speak English? Well, let us have a look at the seven main difference between content localization and translation.

  1. While translation can be defined as converting of the original language of the content to the targeted language while maintaining the syntax and grammar rules, on the other hand, translation can be referred as rewriting the whole content into the targeted language.
  2. Translation is mainly required in user manuals, technical publications, medical documents and scientific journals, while on the other hand, localization is primarily used in software, websites, mobile apps, multimedia content and in video games too.
  3. In content translation, the whole content is translated into the targeted content while maintaining the rules and keeping the message of the content intact. But on the other hand, in content localization, it is more about writing the whole content in a different language while maintaining cultural sensitivity.
  4. In content localization, the content needs to be changed from one place to another.  For example, Spanish remains the official language for Mexico, Argentina and Spain, but while translating the content for all the above three, you need to write it in their own language and based on the local culture. It is required because each place have their own dialect and their own specific words which if used in the content will make it easier for the audience to connect. Localization is an important part of building a marketing strategy.
  5. Translation is a part of localization. While localizing a content, an expert team of the translator is required to make sure that the content is translated correctly. Working with the local consultant and marketers will make it easier to understand the local sentiments and the laws as both of it differs from one place to another.
  6. If you are marketing, translation isn’t enough, and you will need content localization for gaining the trusts of the local people for selling your product or service. While selling your product to the foreign customers, you will customize your message which the targeted audience will find attractive and can connect to it easily. You need to build a content that would be exclusively for the targeted audience. This will help to gain the trust of the foreign customer.
  7. While translation is very formal, localization, on the other hand, helps to merge with the local culture, and you need to adapt to the local sentiments for building a place in their heart. Content localization plays a primary role in gaining customer trust.

So, now that you know the primary differences between localization and translation make sure that you follow it the next time while you are building content.