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The pros and cons of a global standardization strategy

A question often asked by many businesses looking to expand abroad: Should we keep things the same everywhere, or tailor our approach to each market? A global standardization strategy leans toward the first option, but while it’s a tempting approach, it’s not always the best option. Here are the advantages and disadvantages, and stick around […]

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Why localization quality assurance matters

In the localization process, translation alone doesn’t guarantee quality. You need an additional step to turn that raw localized content into a functional, usable, and context-aware experience. And that’s called localization quality assurance, or LQA. It exists to prevent mistranslations, interface issues, and many other problems which may arise during localization. In this article, we’re […]

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Angular internationalization and localization: A complete guide

Angular is a frontend JavaScript framework built for creating large, maintainable web applications. But out of the box, you’re only able to display content in one language — whatever text you hardcode into your templates. If you’re building something for a global audience, or just want your app to support multiple languages, you’ll need to […]

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9 Common localization bugs (and how to avoid them)

Are you a developer, product manager, or localization engineer? Then you need to understand the most common localization bugs can save you countless hours and protect your brand’s reputation. Here’s a deep dive into the bugs that haunt localization efforts. We’ll also tell you how to steer clear of them. Text expansion and truncation One […]

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Agile localization: When localization moves as fast as your code

We believe localization has to move as fast as your product does. It shouldn’t be the final step, but a continuous, collaborative process. Whether you’re a product manager, developer, translator, or just someone who cares about making products work everywhere, you need to learn about agile localization and what it can do for you. Localization […]

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Are language isolates harder to localize?

Language isolates are fascinating from both linguistic and localization perspectives. These languages, with no known relatives or linguistic family ties, stand apart from all the others. But does that uniqueness make them inherently harder to localize? Let’s explore the factors that may influence localization difficulty. What is a language isolate? A language isolate is defined […]

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5 Tips on translating dynamic content

​Dynamic content refers to elements that change based on user interactions or real-time data, such as user-generated comments, personalized greetings, or live stock updates. Unlike static content, which remains constant, dynamic content can vary widely, making its translation more complex. If you want to effectively localize this type of content, you need to approach it […]

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UX writing best practices for localizers

A UX writer is someone that writes copy in a way that users don’t stop to think about whether an interface was originally written in another language—they just navigate effortlessly. That’s the ultimate goal. But how do you achieve that? Let’s go through the UX writing best practices that can help you maintain both linguistic […]

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International holiday marketing: Localizing holidays matters

Holidays are rooted in our cultural traditions, religious beliefs, and national pride. Chances are, the holidays in one country differ greatly from those in another. Even global events, which are celebrated in multiple countries, often have unique regional customs. By developing international holiday marketing campaigns, you show that your brand understands and respects the local […]

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Currency localization: Understanding the key elements

When shopping online, it’s safe to say that everyone wants to see the financial information in a format they’re familiar with. No one wants to waste time figuring out how much they’re actually paying. If you’re a business operating internationally, currency localization is more than just a nice-to-have. But it means more than just swapping […]

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How do machine translation systems handle homographs?

Homographs (words that share the same spelling but have different meanings) can really put machine translation (MT) systems in a pickle. Is bass a fish or a guitar? Such ambiguities can make localization specialists wary of relying on MT, knowing that human translators have the upper hand when it comes to intuition and experience. However, […]

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Number localization: The Importance of proper number formatting

Numbers may seem universal, but they are definitely NOT. In fact, the way they’re written and understood can vary drastically from country to country. A simple difference—like using a comma instead of a period—can completely change a number’s meaning. This is why you need number localization, a process that ensures that your users see numbers […]

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8 Essential translator skills

Each and every one of us has, at some point, read a translation that just felt off. Maybe it sounded robotic or it completely butchered a joke. You see, a good translation isn’t just about swapping words from one language to another—it’s about capturing meaning and emotion, so that the message lands the way it’s […]

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How localization supports the travel industry

If you’re in the travel industry, you’re one of the most likely to benefit from localizing your website or application. A significant portion of your audience probably consists of international travelers, and research shows that people (even multilinguals) prefer content in their native language. That’s good enough of a reason to start adapting your content, […]

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Breaking down language barriers through localization

Language barriers are one of the biggest obstacles to effective communication. For businesses, this means reduced engagement and lost opportunities. Language barriers can be categorized into several types: This is where localization comes into play. By adapting your content, it is possible to bridge these language gaps. Business and e-commerce Language barriers can limit market […]

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How to create a localization portfolio

If you want to work in localization, you need a well-crafted portfolio to demonstrate your skills and attract potential clients or employers. Whether you are a translator, localization specialist, or project manager, a compelling portfolio is the best way to showcase your expertise and experience. This of it as your personal branding tool. Without further […]

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5 solutions for scaling localization

As your company expands and the need for scaling localization becomes evident, you’ll find that you have to move beyond one-off translation projects and build workflows that can handle the increasing demand. But how do you scale effectively without sacrificing quality, consistency, or speed? A successful scaling strategy requires a strong foundation in internationalization, a […]

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The importance of dialects in localization

Dialects are variations of a language spoken in different geographical or social groups, each with distinct vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammatical differences. While many focus on translating languages, dialects often receive less attention despite their crucial role in effective communication. However, it’s important we incorporate dialects in localization if we want to build meaningful connections with […]

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SEM localization: A guide to targeting the right audience

You can have the best ads, the perfect website, and a solid budget, but if your messaging doesn’t match what local audiences search for, they won’t find you—or worse, they’ll ignore you. So, how do you fix that? SEM localization is the key, and we’ll tell you why. What is SEM localization? What do Search […]

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How to optimize your DTP localization process

DTP is short for Desktop Publishing, which is the creation of documents using page layout software on a personal computer. When you localize this type of content, you need to maintain both readability and original design. Since different languages have varying lengths, structures, and formatting requirements, DTP localization entails quite a few adjustments, which we […]

Localizing user-generated content

Content which has the potential of (positively) influencing decisions, and for which you don’t have to pay a dime. How does that sound? Great, right? That’s the power of user-generated content. It’s real, raw, and packed with personality. However, if you want to deliver this content to more than one market, you will likely need […]

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How to save time and money on localization with your TMS

Localization requires not only a team of skilled professionals but also the right technology. Without the proper tools, you’ll struggle with time-consuming manual processes, inconsistent translations, and high costs. In this article, we’ll explore how a translation management tool (TMS) can help your business save time and money on localization. Automate the localization workflow Manual […]

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Discussing the concept of ethics in translation

Ethics comes from the Greek word “ethos,” encompassing concepts like custom, habit, character, and disposition. Essentially, ethics is a set of moral principles that guide people’s decisions and actions. In the context of translation, these principles govern the translator’s choices and responsibilities. Ethics in translation influence how translators approach source texts, their relationship with clients, […]

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YouTube localization: Creators’ secret weapon

YouTube isn’t just a video platform—it’s the world’s second-largest search engine after Google and one of the most popular social media networks in the world, boasting over 2.5 billion monthly users. If you love creating long-form video content, there’s no better place to grow your audience. YouTube is also a goldmine for marketers, as statistics […]