Want to make sure your message hits your target – in any language? Yet not sure where to start exactly with localization?
Here are 5 Do’s and Don’ts that you need to know. We’ll be expanding each one weekly with more details and examples to get you on your way.
Stay tuned!
Localization: an intrinsic part of your communication strategy
Leave translation and localization until the end of your content creation process.
Include localization as a critical part of your internationalization strategy. This allows time to foresee opportunities and bottlenecks in an early stage.
Localization: more than just language
Focus only on the linguistic differences.
Take account of all differences between target groups. This includes not only the tone of voice, salutation, form of address, local dialects and information density, but also design elements such as visuals, colours, symbols and even numbers.
Differentiation: more ways than one to approach your language portfolio
Adopt a one-size-fits-all approach to your language strategy.
For all your content channels, opt for a differentiated approach to localization. Consider elements like visibility, duration of use, degree of creativity, planning and budget to determine the best type of localization, such as translation, transcreation or copywriting.
Pseudo-translation: an ideal way to prevent obstacles from popping up before it’s too late
Second guess character count in design elements.
Include pseudo-translation in the design phase to check if the translation will actually fit. This ensures that translations with languages that are longer still look nice in the channel used.
Local offices: essential for local company knowledge
Underestimate the importance of determining which content should be validated locally and which centrally.
Consult closely with your language specialist, so that they offer workflows with a review step in targeted local markets to combine the best of your company’s central and local expertise.
