Localization, or language localization, is the process of adapting a product description that has already been written in other languages and focusing it for a specific audience. The goal is to make a smooth transition by making the translations customized to suit the target language, region, and culture.
1- Become a Professional Translator
Localization is one of the most important and most frequent tasks given to a translator.The scope for localization in Bengali is massive, since it’s the fourth most spoken language in the world. Today, international companies aim to extend their reach to the Bengali-speaking population, so that they can enter that market. This is why these companies are hiring professional Bengali translators to adapt their product descriptions, websites, flyers, and company literature.
2- Make the Distinction Between Localization and Translation
Every language expresses itself differently, and what’s appropriate in one language may not be accepted in another.Without localization — the need to go beyond translation — into an adjustment of culturally appropriate translation and layout reproduction, the customers reading a product’s description or visiting a company’s website won’t connect to the message you’re trying to convey.
3- Know Your Target Audience
Knowing your target audience, reader group, or potential customers is the first step of successful localization in Bengali.For example, if your target audience base is Sylhet or Chittagong, your translations should reflect the dialects used in those regions. Knowing your target audience also helps you determine the tone of the translations. If your target customers belong to the professional sector, you would want to use formal, academic language, for instance. But if your audience belongs to a younger generation, you might instead want to use a more casual and friendly tone.
4- Research Keywords
The goal is to get your product into a particular market, and every market has its own specific terms that vary according to the language spoken. Researching these keywords is an important part of communicating your product’s message correctly, and tools like Google Keyword Planner are helpful for this task. For Bengali, search for keywords according to the language and to the dialects spoken in your chosen region.
5- Don’t Be Afraid to Change the Text Entirely
To change or not change the original texts is one of the greatest dilemmas for translators. When localizing text, this shouldn’t be a deterrent. You are adapting descriptions for a Bengali audience, and their likes and dislikes are different from a Peruvian or Japanese audience’s. Your work must focus on the target group and its preferences, in order to build a successful marketing campaign.
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