What is website localization?
The subtle difference.
Professional translation service providers know: A localized website is more important the more international your business is. This sounds paradoxical, but it makes perfect sense. After all, localization is about more than just the exact translation of texts. Language and content must also be adapted to the business, cultural and legal standards of the target country. The result: customers feel understood - and stay on the ball. This is especially important when it comes to marketing, but also when it comes to contracts.
Why should companies localize their website?
- So that the message gets across. It must be clear and unambiguous.
- The essentials of successful communication are an appropriate choice of words and correct grammar. But language only comes alive through allusions, idioms and word combinations. And in marketing in particular, they can be used to convey strong messages.
An example of website localization:
A German website offers cheese products. The accompanying text talks about breakfast. For a German, this is perfectly natural. The problem: A Brit might think of eggs and ham when he hears the word "breakfast". A Japanese person will associate the word "asagohan" more with rice and miso soup. If "breakfast" is translated literally, an important message is lost. This is true for both the English and Japanese versions of the website.
The solution:
Not only translating the text is necessary, but also rewriting it. To take local customs into account. To make sure your message gets across to your customers. And who has more understanding of this context than a native speaker? A native speaker who lives and works locally. Like our technical translators.
