Have you heard about L10N, G11N and i18n?

L10N is abbreviation of ''Localization''(or spell as Localisation); there are 10 characters between first L and the last N. In similar, G11N refers to Globalization – 11 characters between G and N, and i18n for internationalization.

It is said these slangs firstly appear among software engineers. Internationalization (i18n) is the process of designing a software application so that it can be adapted to various languages and regions without engineering changes. Localization is the process of adapting software for a specific region or language by adding locate-specific components and translating text, and it is further revised and expressed as “A process of planning and implementing products and services so that they can be adapted to specific local languages and cultures”. Yes, L10N means both linguistic accuracy and cultural fitness, the latter is even more important.

L10N is about Language, but it’s much more than translation. It’s about Writing conventions (such as Date/Time format), decimal points, positioning of separators. It’s about Culture: currency symbols, weight and measures, post-code, paper size, usage of images and colors. And it’s about serious Political-Sensitive Issue!

For example, when Taiwan is listed together with many nations together in a break down list, including Hong Kong or Mainland China, the word “Country list” shall be translated/localized as “Country or Region list”, because Taiwan is not a country, neither recognized by United Nation, nor the localization industry.

A famous Japanese electronic handbook manufacturer had to recall thousands of products in China market because of this “small” issue. Even PricewaterhouseCoopers ignored the same a few years ago at their global portal website - they had to quickly change it before receiving more complains from consumers from China.

Another example is, a Finance institution would like to make their company brochure from English into Simplified Chinese, both translation and layout (desk top publishing) in InDesign format. They used a graphic of Japanese Yen at the first page; a sensitive, good localizer will recommend this client to change the graphic to US Dollar or Euro notes or coin, avoid using JPYen graphic for China market, because of well known history reasons between the two nations.

And furthermore, what colors to use for a small chart in a user’s guide? Why never give a Green color Hat to a man as gift in China? What differences between Simplified Chinese for Mainland and Traditional Chinese for Taiwan (and Hong Kong)? Why you should fully assess brand or product names using native speakers in different regions?

It’s more than words, it involves many considerations, linguistically, culturally, politically, and locally.

You can easily find somebody available to translate a company brochure, a legal document, a website or a manual, but think about the following: Were they well localized or adapted to suit the local market and your target audiences or just a translation? Was the translation independently reviewed or proofed by 2nd or 3rd linguists, with subject expertise or background? Any post-DTP (Desk Top Publishing) issues such as wrong line break, improper usage of punctuation or text colors? Were my localized Webpages searching engines friendly into target languages? Has anybody submitted them to local Top 10 searching engines for bigger exposure, free of charge?

When you read Coca Cola, Hitachi, Honda, Pepsi, Siemens, Volkswagen and Wal-Mart, what’s their common point in China? They all have successful joint ventures or own operations in China? In my eyes, successful localization is the answer, this made them succeed in China, they are no more foreign companies for me: they all have a localized brand, consistent marketing message in local language, organized localized sales and supporting team, provide customer services to local market using local manpower.

What makes Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft and Google so successful globally? Just count how many languages their websites have - G11N and i18n are achieved through successful L10N, and L10N made them real global giant players in return. Well, based on great ideas and products. Of course these companies’ great success also depends on foresight, courage, innovations, patience and long term commitment to the international markets from insightful leaders.

Global mind? Local Reach. Through localization – we have seen above successful stories.

For SMEs who aim on China as possible increasing revenue source or potential market, there are both opportunities and challenges. From my point of view, localization is one of the keys for business expansion and eventual success.

L10N would definitely facilitate multilingual communications and possibly expand international (multilingual) markets, but only professional, successful localization assures your success!

Mind the Gap, use real professionals to localize your products or solutions for China!

www.chinasuccessstories.com

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