Localization

Unfortunately language service providers have varying views on what is translation and what is localization. In a localized target text, there are no cultural barriers between the text and the target populace. What Oni are not known in European culture and there are no existences similar enough with the Oni. Some might argue that they are ogres or devils but they are actually spirits or gods (depending on how you would describe the word “Kami”) that cause disasters, disease, and other unpleasant things. Texts containing such concepts generally lose content localized, yet they do not lose such concepts when they are translated. And contrary to the common belief, translation is not just switching words or making the sentence grammatically correct. The only difference between localization and translation is that one eliminates all the foreign concepts other introduces them to the target language. Localization jobs are handled in steps as:

• The source text is examined carefully in light of the target audience’s social, local and environmental criteria.
• Cultural and linguistic changes are made to the source text.
• References to source texts cultural essence which do not exist in target text’s culture are removed.
• Production of the target text begins.