E-ging Solutions is a world-leading Shanghai translation company with specialties in website translation.
Website localization is not as simple as it
may appear. There are numerous factors that have to be taken into consideration
when translating a websites' content.
Do all the words, phrases, sayings and metaphors translate directly to
the target language? Would it be wise to translate the phrase "everyman
for himself" in text describing a company or product if this is going to
be read by a highly collectivist culture? Does the content of your website use
humour and if so will the target culture appreciate or even understand it?
Native alternatives should always be sought and used in any website
localization.
When translating into another language carefully consider the variants. If it
is to be an Arabic website then is aimed at Tunisians or Iraqis, Egyptians or
Yemenis? If you are targeting all Arabic speakers then ensure Modern Standard
Arabic has been employed by your translator.
One must analyse the style of the language and the target audience. If the
audience is foreign business personnel, the vocabulary, grammar and punctuation
must reflect this. If the audience is informal or youth orientated then a more
relaxed language must used. Just as we in the UK would identify the difference
between a site using "posh English" and "street English",
other cultures will have the same perceptions of language. Using the wrong
language for the wrong reader in your localization project will lead to a
misunderstanding of the site or company.
It is essential to assess what information is necessary to carry over into the
new site. Do not assume that all information on the English site is
automatically transferred over. One must evaluate the target culture and
society. Is it a culture that relies on information rich writing to fully
understand a concept or product or is a culture that relies more on images or
one that needs little text to grasp ideas and concepts?
