0
Mitsuo23 Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

Translation versus localization

Hi all,

I have a question: I can't see the clear line between localization and translation in technical field. I'm a translator and should I say, for instance, "I'll help translate your iPhone apps" or "I'll help localize your iPhone apps"? Both are correct? Then what's the difference?

Thank you in advance,
Jim
  

Top answer

The way I understand it, "translation" just means the translation of text from one language to another, whereas "localisation" includes all the things that need doing to make the application fully functional in the locale -- including text translation, but also covering such things as conversion of date/time formats, number formats, currency formats, font support for local scripts, use of locally familar icons, inclusion of local-language dictionaries for spell-checking, etc.

— Mr Wordy

  • The way I understand it, "translation" just means the translation of text from one language to another, whereas "localisation" includes all the things that need doing to make the application fully functional in the locale -- including text translation, but also covering such things as conversion of date/time formats, number formats, currency formats, font support for local scripts, use of locally familar icons, inclusion of local-language dictionaries for spell-checking, etc.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

6 Answers
0
The way I understand it, "translation" just means the translation of text from one language to another, whereas "localisation" includes all the things that need doing to make the application fully functional in the locale -- including text translation, but also covering such things as conversion of date/time formats, number formats, currency formats, font support for local scripts, use of locally
0
0
Hi,

I'v never encountered the term' localization' before. although I have now found it here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_localization

This seems to indicate that localization involves more than just l
0
0
CliveIt seems a form of business jargon to me.
It's also IT jargon (if the distinction is worthwhile).
0
0
Thank you for the reply and please forgive me for sending the same reply to both of you. Your understandings are almost the same as mine. But just because an american friend of mine revised my sentence, replacing all the "localizing" with "translating" I asked on this forum.
But just to make sure, could I have your opinion if this is OK or not?

-FROM HERE
Have you ever wondered
0
0
Hi Jimmy,

Here are a lot of suggestions to consider.



Clive



-FROM HERE
Have you ever wondered if your iPhone applications are worth translating into Japanse and localizing for Japan?

I am a freelance translator who has a great deal of experience with both these processes.



In addition, I can provide you with simple ye
0
0
Thank you for the reply and your suggestion. I knew I was going to have to brush up the writing but never thought this much.

I'll take them into considerations another day since the entire writing is somewhat larger.

Thanks again for your help, I'll post again to ask you proofread after the brush-up is done.
Jim,
0

Related Questions