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Localization

Adapting a product to another language and region, including formats, length and reading direction.

What is Localization?

Adapting a product to another language and region, including formats, length and reading direction.

What you learn

Translation isn’t enough. Check length, formats and direction.

When it helps

a product is entering another language or region, or a translated version feels wrong.

Use it at work

  1. Leave room for text that grows by a third or more.
  2. Use local formats for dates, numbers, money and addresses.
  3. Support right-to-left languages where needed.
  4. Test with native speakers, in the real layout.

Your output

Before you translate, test your screens with much longer text, right-to-left text, and local date and number formats.

Watch for

Translating the words without adapting the layout and formats.

Related practices

Sources

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