Sometimes people use the localization and professional translation services interchangeably since they do not know the differences and believe that both can enable them to promote businesses. However, both types of services are different, and you cannot make the best use of them without knowing their distinctive features.
After going through this article, you will be aware of the positives and negatives of localization and translation services, and their differences, and you can choose the best type based on your business needs.
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About Translation
Professional online translation relates to the process of changing the language of the original content. It enables you to communicate with people from other locations in their native languages. Moreover, you can translate all your content, including eBooks, multimedia, and any kind of text.
The objective will be to change your content accurately into another language. Here you will have to focus on the grammar and meaning, and there is nothing to do with other aspects. The translated content will reflect the tone of the source content.
There is no doubt that others can understand the language and know about your service with accurate translation. However, they might not connect with you since they will only understand the meaning. Here localization comes in.
About Localization
Localization is a broad concept, and it will give your business better exposure. Localization services can change the look and feel of your content (textual and visual) for people from different locations. Localization means translating the content into a new language while adapting to the culture of that region.
You can say that localization is a more specialized process to change the content based on the culture of that region and make it more appealing to future clients. Localization will have a better impact compared to translation.
So, What Are the Differences?
Let’s sum it up! When it comes to professional online translation, is a process of translating the language of the content into some other languages. It is suitable if you need to translate documentation, for example. However, localization is a broad concept and covers a wider area. It will change the language and probably even give a different look to your content. Moreover, localization means adding visual, cultural, and functional aspects while changing the language. Here we speak about websites, games, apps, and software. Usually, the localization process is more complicated than pure translation as you need to adapt the content to new audiences and look native to new markets. Localization services will develop a global face for your brand.
Benefits of Professional Translation
If you consider translation tools for your business, we’d recommend using professional translation agencies with native speakers. Here are some benefits you can expect from online translation.
- Effective translation from one language into another
- Appealing content as the native speakers will do their best to convey your idea in their languages
- Cost-effectiveness and consistent result
- Coverage for all textual content
- Quality writing
Benefits of Language Localization
A translation service might translate your content in the best manner, but it will not have the technical and cultural nuisance needed to resonate with the global market. If you want better exposure and to widen your reach, you will have to go with language localization.
Language localization can modify the content to meet the language, functional, and cultural expectations, including graphics, images, shapes, colors, sizes, styles, and shapes to the content. Moreover, it can add societal codes and values such as relationships, beliefs, myths, humor, and symbols.
The project might include some functional content to make your content more appealing. It can modify time format, date, geographical references, and linguistic content and make it localized.
Here are some benefits of hiring a localization service.
- Helps to adapt the design, graphics, and interface layout based on the location
- Uses local dates, timing, and phone numbers
- Modifies the content depending on the needs of local users
- Conforms to the rules of local laws
- Connects people with the content
Which One Is Better?
Both services can be the right choice for businesses based on their unique needs. If you want a simple translation, you can consider hiring a translation service. It will translate your content in the best possible way, and you can get the desired benefit when your focus is on a particular location.
You can think of localization if you want content that resonates across locals. Additionally, your brand will have different types of content, varying from marketing to general to user-targeted content. All might not require a global appeal, and you can consider localization for those needing broad coverage.
There can be some content that will require only translation, of course, including marketing material. You will have to understand the usage of content before going ahead. Know the content intent and nature and use some parameters, including lifespan, volume, and budget, and then you can decide.
Apart from all these, you will have to understand your audience, objective, and business type. If your focused area is global buyers, you cannot ignore localization. You might need to spend more time and money on localization since it will cover all the possible aspects, but you can expect the desired exposure.
Wrapping It Up
All businesses are different, and they will have unique needs. You will have to understand your business type to choose between localization and translation. Translation will limit your reach, but localization can connect you with global targets.