Localize

Localize is the process of adapting a product or content to a specific locale or market. It involves more than translation; it also adjusts language, date and number formats, currency, units, graphics, color symbolism, legal and regulatory requirements, and aspects of the user experience to fit regional preferences and norms. Localization is distinct from internationalization, which designs software and content to support subsequent localization by providing flexible structures and reusable resources.

In software and digital media, localization typically includes extracting text strings, translating them, and reintegrating them while ensuring the user interface accommodates text length and direction, and that symbols, imagery, and cultural references are appropriate. Locale data are defined by language and region codes (for example en-US, es-ES). Common components include translated user interfaces, locale-aware formatting for dates, times, numbers, and currencies, appropriate units of measure, time zones, and accessibility considerations.

Technical practice relies on standards and tools such as Unicode for character encoding, CLDR for locale data, ICU libraries for formatting and collation, and translation management systems. Workflows often involve translators, reviewers, and quality assurance testers, with terminology management and translation memory to maintain consistency across products and updates.

From a business perspective, localization expands market reach and potential revenue but adds development and maintenance costs. Effective localization aligns products with local expectations, regulatory constraints, and market-specific content, while balancing quality, speed, and cost.

See also: internationalization, globalization, translation, localization engineering.