Internationalization and localization are two buzzwords that are often bandied about with respect to translations and global commerce. Internationalization and localization are actually two complementary phases of globalization, a critical process for companies with an international presence. While these terms can apply to a pure text translation, they are most often used in reference to software development, web sites, and video games, where the user interface and images must be considered in addition to text.
The internationalization phase of globalization is integrated with the design process of a product. The product is “neutralized” during internationalization, meaning that cultural references, language and country-specific information are removed. Internationalization is a forward-thinking process that makes the product more easily customizable to the specific markets that the company is targeting. According to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), “Internationalization significantly affects the ease of the product’s localization. Retrofitting a linguistically- and culturally-centered deliverable for a global market is obviously much more difficult and time-consuming than designing a deliverable with the intent of presenting it globally.”
The second phase of globalization is localization. In the localization step, the product is adapted for the unique needs of a specific market. It is important to note that localization is much more than mere translation. Localization of software, web sites, etc. involves an intimate knowledge of not just the language but also the culture of the company’s target market. Usually, this level of understanding comes from someone with a native command of a language and culture.
Although text translation is an integral part of the process, localization goes deeper to address more complex issues and differences such as:
1) local currencies
2) weights and measures
3) format for the date, time, addresses, etc.
4) cultural preferences regarding color and aesthetics
5) adaptation of graphics to remove potentially offensive or culturally-inappropriate symbols or images
As the Localization Industry Standards Association (LISA) notes, “All these changes aim to recognize local sensitivities and to enter the local market by merging into its needs and desires.”
Remember that in both the internationalization and localization phases, it is important that the product pass through a testing and quality assurance step to ensure that the end result meets the client’s needs and expectations.
