What is localization?

To many people, localization sounds like “just a linguistic process” identical or similar to translation. However, while translation plays an important role in the localization of all text-based products, the process of localization is actually much broader than this. The Localization Industry Standards Association (LISA) defines localization as “the process of modifying products or services to account for differences in distinct markets.” In practice this means that localization needs to address three main categories of issues:

Linguistic issues

These relate to the translation of a product’s user interface and documentation. Also, where relevant, the translation and reengineering of any underlying linguistic functionality such as search engines or wizards.

Content and cultural issues

In many cases, the information and functionality contained in products need to be adapted for local audiences. Cars sold in Britain cannot have the steering wheel on the left, while accounting software will have to comply with local generally accepted accounting principles, to give just two examples. Cultural issues concerning the presentation of information (icons, graphics, colors, forms of address, etc.) may also need to be taken into account.

Technical issues

Supporting local languages and content may require redesign and reengineering. For example, Arabic scripts are bi-directional (i.e., they generally run from right to left, except for numbers and foreign-language words which run from left to right). Equally, Far Eastern languages require twice the space of English for each letter (which is why their alphabets are known as “double byte character sets,” or DBCSs). Adapting products to these scripts therefore require changes to the code (in the case of software) and/or product design, packaging, etc. Localizing a product is not a trivial task, and in practice not all products are localized to the same extent. On average, technical products and proprietary business-to-business applications will be less likely to be (fully) localized. However, it would be a mistake to conclude automatically from this that English is good enough. In the real world of business today, factors influencing the extent of localization include the nature and scope of the product concerned, the size of the target market and audience, the length of the product lifecycle and anticipated update frequencies, competitor behavior, market acceptance, and national or international legislation. Only after a thorough analysis of these issues and of potential consequences should a decision not to localize, or to localize only in part, be made.

Our services

LocaWorks, covers all forms of localization services, Translation, DTP, Engineering and Testing.

Translation

Our translators cover variety of fields of translation, such as: IT Technical, Multimedia, Engineering/Automation, Medical, Hardware, Communications, Finance/Economics, Word Play/Puns, Rhymes/Songs, Sport, Marketing, Legal,...etc.

DTP

Advanced Desktop Publishing tools are used by our experienced DTP specialists. In addition to regular DTP tasks, LocaWorks covers wide varieties of DTP services, such as: Screen Capture, Conversions, Postscript Production, PDF Production and Editing, Illustration Editing,...etc.

Engineering and Testing

When the case comes to be Engineering or Testing, then our knowledge will provide you the highest quality services for these issues, no mater the nature of work is, we will handle it.