Localization

Localization is the process of adaptation of a product or a content to another language, but taking cultural aspects into account. Translation is just one of the different tasks of the localization. Engineering of the programme, testing and desktop publishing are other tasks in this process. Besides, the project management is very important in the localization process to coordinate all the tasks.

In the localization, it is necessary to adapt all kind of images, concepts or cultural references. Even in countries with the same language, there are huge cultural references, like religiousness or currency. Depending on the country in which the product is going to be addressed, the cultural reference will be different.

Website localization can be an advantage for a company that wants to sell its product in different countries. The multilingual websites can reach more people and, consequently, profits can increase.
However, not only websites needs to be localized, as many people think. Videogames, programmes, software, etc. need to be, not only translated, but also adapted to the culture is going to be sold. Actually, the video games localization is a very important emerging market.

Therefore, the localization process requires not only programming, design, publishing desktop knowledge, but also a good command in both source and target language. But, the most important thing, it is vital to have a good knowledge of the culture in which the product is addressed.
Usually, more than one person take part in this process, translators, programmers, designers..

Finally, testers assure the quality of the final product. It is important to check all the aspects, including linguistic, visual, and above all, functional aspect. In this way, the final product will have the same characteristics as the original one, but adapted to the culture in which it is going to be used.