When you’re working with global audiences, you should ensure that your message is understandable to each audience. In today’s digital and global age, more than 52 percent of internet users say obtaining information in their own language is very important. Content localization is a social interpretation that communicates in the language of your target audience. Also, content localization helps to acknowledge their unique interest. It is the process of creating your content for a specific destination.
In this way, you have to ensure that it has been translated and adapted in a culturally-sensitive way. This will help the audience on the other side of the world to feel good at home.
Similarly, content localization is the process of translating and adapting your content and marketing materials. By doing localization you can engage a particular foreign audience. To sum up all, this is the process of changing any content produced in your native language to be understandable by other relevant markets.
source:searchenginejournal
Importance of localized content:
You probably already know that localized content is essential for you. But just because you’re sharing content across the globe, doesn’t ensure your message will reach worldwide.
The key factor of success in any business is the happiness of your customers. You have to make your customer happy. If you lose sight of their needs they will move elsewhere. Simply localization is the key to any global market to make your consumers happy and grow your business.
Localization is not only modifying a translation to make it sound local. Nowadays, it’s important that your content and product sounds original within locales you’re targeting. It creates a connection that increases the value of your product to the consumers. Localization holds great power. It can help your company to attain a competitive edge and expands your market. Localization can be done in a few different ways, depending on your needs.
Translation:
It is the process of encoding the same information from one language to another, for example english to greek or english to chinese. Therefore straight translation is typically sufficient for technical documents and sharing basic information.
Language:
Just because something is written in English doesn’t mean the message is easily understood in other parts of the world. When you create content in English there are a few small things you can do to make translation easier for global markets. Also, the language of the content should match that of your audience and you should avoid using gerunds. Similarly, you should drop the passive language.
Formatting & Design:
Designing dynamic web pages, brochures, and other types of media is a great way to localize your content among users. If your company does business globally, you will need to consider all audience groups. Western people will read from left to right, while Middle Eastern and East Asian people will read from right to left. Thus, designing your content accordingly will benefit your readers.
Cultural Sensitivity:
The readability of your content is important. But the visual components and colors included in your design should be considered as well. Depending on the culture, different colors may convey different implications. You should also need to be mindful of other cultural differences, such as preferences in food, lifestyle, and religious beliefs.
All in all, localization is not just the transfer of the meaning of the words of a text, but the rewriting of the message in another language, while taking into account and respecting the elements of culture of the people who use it. Content localization is a must for businesses and entrepreneurs that desire to aim at global market.