Translation is the act of transposing a text from one language into another. Localization goes further: it involves a cultural dimension.
Localization is the process of adapting a product or content to a specific region or market. Translation is only one of several elements of the localization process. The aim of localization is to give a product the look and feel of having been created specifically for a target market, no matter their language, culture, or location.
Localization adds a new perspective to translation. It is a process in which the culture of each protagonist country takes on its full importance. Here, the link with words is subtle: the translator used to the customs and traditions of a language is able to perceive its nuances. Its final translation will only be of better quality. Therefore, the localization mechanism requires a deep understanding of the mechanisms that govern both source and target cultures. In this sense, localization is a more accurate version of translation because it is more thorough.
Localization also brings a consulting dimension to translation. The “localizing translator” is a real actor in the internationalization of the company. He is invested with a cultural mission, he is a sought-after market expert, able to guide his clients in their deployment strategies. While translation is strictly paper-based, localization requires the adaptation of graphics, currencies, formats, colors… It requires a complete rethinking of the structure of the presentation.
In short, localization has a commercial perspective, it is the tool for merging the product and the local market.