Localisation

Is ‘localisation’ just a synonym for ‘translation’?

Essentially, localisation is the process of adapting content to a specific market or locale to make it work as original copy would for that locale. Translation is the transfer of textual meaning from one language and rendering in another without any loss of that meaning. It is the message that is translated. With localisation, it is the reader experience that is being transferred here, by means of an adapted message conveying the same concept without it seeming alien to the reader.

Strategies may be as simple as converting units of measurement between imperial and metric or vice-versa, assigning culturally equivalent terminology and idiomatic expressions, or as complex as references to equivalent legal documents or word play and humour. It can be thought of as a cultural translation, and a definite sensitivity to both the source and target language cultures is required. Graphics may also need to be adapted to suit different cultures and markets; it is important to be aware of the varying symbolism of colours, images and symbols depending on locale. The combination of such approaches to localisation should result in the target audience not being aware that the text has even been localised.