Translation and Localization

In the field of language services, there are two types of services: "translation" and "localization".

Mahana Corporation provides not only translation services, but also localization of websites by our Japanese experts.

So, what’s the difference?

Translation and localization are often used interchangeably. There are some similarities between them, but there are also essential differences. Many customers require localizing their website, so they employ translation companies to do it. However, not understanding the difference between translation and localization greatly changes the outcome of the translated text, usually resulting in the translation’s nuance being completely different from that of the original text. Something that can greatly change how a company’s brand is perceived.

What is translation?

Translation is defined as the process of transferring content from one language to another. The text is changed word for word, with emphasis on grammar and vocabulary, from one language to a target language. To put it simply, translation is just converting one language to another. These two languages can be the languages of two countries, two dialects of one country, or even ancient languages to modern languages.

However, translation focuses only on translating the meaning of the original words or sentences directly and accurately without much thought about whether or not the target audience will understand the original concepts on a cultural level.

Translation is usually performed by a combination of translators and translation machines to ensure both accuracy and efficiency.

What is localization?

Localization goes a step further than translation. It is defined as a more comprehensive process of adjusting the content of the original text to be culturally relevant for the target audience.

Localization involves translation, but its goal is broader -- to make the content feel like it was created specifically for the target market.

The process of website localization is different from translation. In addition to converting the original language into the target language, localization also focuses on ensuring the original nuance is conveyed, as well as ensuring any culturally unfamiliar aspects are made culturally relevant for the new audience. . For example, converting the original currency from Japanese Yen to the currency of the target language’s country, updating original date and time to the target country’s time, considering if the target language’s culture uses certain idioms, and if not, how to translate the existing idiom into one that will be easily understood with the same nuance.

In short, website localization adjusts the content and layout of a website to convey the exact same meaning and nuance as the original website, but in a way that is relevant and understandable to the target audience.

Localize your website into Japanese

Our recent study shows that more than 99% of the customers from Japan look at websites in Japanese only, not in English. By not having a website in Japanese, a large portion of possible customers are not being reached.

Let us localize your website into Japanese today!