Localization (L10N)
What is it?
Imagine that you wish to expand your business into different country that you are not familiar with. Localization is the process that adopts your business to the characteristics of that country. It makes sure that people and private, public, government businesses understand your business. In plain English, we simply listen to what you want to accomplish in a certain geographical location and then help you to make it happen.
What's in the package?
Depending on your needs, it can mean a lot of different things. Most of the time, localization requires, but is not limited to, following services:
- Full translation of printed or electronic materials (e.g. contracts, HR documents, product brochures, product packages etc.)
- Transformation of your e-business to the local characteristics (e.g. hosting, design, security, payment systems etc.)
- Software engineering, implantation, and testing
- DTP graphic processing and formatting (for more details about this service, see the section below)
- File compatibility check (e.g. compatibility within various operation systems or web browsers etc.)
- Finding a dependable and trustworthy partner(s) (e.g. distributor, supplier, alliance or network partner etc.)
- Helping your people to adjust to local life without suffering severe cultural shock
- Proof-reading (for more details about this service, see the section below)
What does it require?
Localization goes beyond simple translation. Localization is a complex process requiring diverse set of skills - listening-to-customer ability, outstanding linguistic skills, cultural sensitivity, thorough knowledge and respect for different traditions and habits, and continuous research of the ever-evolving and changing marketplace among many others. For CEET, it requires to manage, train and motivate qualified and experienced team of professionals, managers, marketers, translators, software engineers, programmers, DTP engineers and project managers that can help your business to succeed.
Quiz Question
What is the commonly used abbreviation for Localization? (Answer: "L10N" - the number 10 between the letters "L" and "N" stands for ten letters between the first L and the last N in the word "localization").
