What’s the difference between translation and localisation?
Translation is the process of rendering text from one language into another so that the meaning is equivalent, while localisation transforms the entire product, content, or service from one language to another and covers both linguistic and cultural adaptation. Game, website or app localisation may also include adaptations to images or colours, formatting, design, or currency. Professional localisation done by experts can make it easier to attract potential new customers, as localised products fit local market conditions better and overcome cultural barriers. The most popular examples of localisation strategies are those used by Coca Cola, Amazon, and McDonalds.
What are the benefits of employing localisation services?
- The service is geared towards a specific target audience with the aim of expanding into their market
- Content is adapted to local laws and regulations: currency, units of measure, date formats, etc.
- An SEO strategy guided by the local market is applied
How much does localisation cost?
The pricing structure for the services we provide is totally transparent. We reply to every request with a detailed and customised quote for our localisation services (free of charge and with no commitment) so that you always know from the outset how much you’ll have to pay. There are no hidden taxes or extra costs that only show up on completion of the project. Simply send us the files you need to translate by e-mail or using the form available on our website.
What is included in the cost of localisation services?
- A professional and personal approach to your needs
- Dedicated, qualified project managers with a number of years of experience
- Rigorously selected translators and revisers with a university degree in translation or a minimum of five years’ experience in translation.
- Mastery of the specialist field in question
- Integration of your own terminology
- Use of translation memories to keep costs as low as possible in the long term by reusing earlier translations. All of your preferred terminology is stored in a terminology database which will be used on any future translation jobs we do for you. This ensures the consistent use of terminology throughout the entire translation process.
What is a translation memory and how does it work?
Translation Memory (TM) software is a database of sentences and their respective translations that can be automatically reused when translating similar or identical content in your translation projects. Translation memories can save a lot of time and money when translating technical content with repetitive text and specific terminology.
How long will it take to localise my project?
The time taken for localisation services will depend on the complexity of the project and the languages requested. We don’t offer a “one-size-fits-all” solution or service. As every localisation request is different, please contact us to discuss your individual requirements and we’ll always do our best to exceed your expectations, within any deadline.
How are games localised?
Game localisation is far more than translating. In fact, when a game has been localised, it gives the impression it was created from scratch for that market, which means we have to go right back to the drawing board. Sure, some things work well across markets, but the beauty of modern-day games is in the details, and if the details aren’t right, players just won’t feel that connection. The game needs to feel authentic to suck players in and give them that buzz.
While dialogue, text, and speech are worked on by gaming translation services as part of the localisation process, localisation reaches far further than just the words. Sure, speech needs to be natural, with cultural expressions transferred and equivalent speech styles found, but with altered idioms may come the need to alter visuals and even entire scenes to make them work.
