Wednesday, October 02, 2013

It is a global economy, and most businesses now have clients located in all corners of the world. Our Australian clients sell not only to customers based in Australia, but also to those in America, China, and Europe. Because of this new diversity, many savvy businesses are choosing to translate and localise their documents, manuals, and websites into other languages in order to more effectively communicate with their target audiences.

 What is localisation? Localisation is a professional service that adapts products and content to specific target markets. In general, localisation addresses specific regional language variances in areas where the same language is spoken. These changes aim to address local sensitivities and to recognise local cultures, customs, and common word usages.

Some aspects of localisation include converting to local currencies or units of measurement, or selecting the appropriate vocabulary for a particular country. For example, in the USA one would say “elevator”, whereas in Australia one might use the word “lift”.

Other aspects of localisation include modifying layouts and selecting the correct format for dates, addresses, and phone numbers. Localisation also includes spelling, grammar, and word usage choices specific to what area locals would choose. For example, “localisation” would be spelled “localization” in the USA.

Globalisation is creating new opportunities for businesses to export their products and services. Localisation can help your business both make and save money by ensuring that the right message reaches your target audience in the most effective and culturally sensitive way.

Written by:
Karen Hodgson, CEO of Translationz