What Is Content Localization
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If you are looking for a graduate program to help you hone your translation skills and prepare you for your future career, Kent State’s M.A. in Translation is the ideal choice.
Ranked among the top three programs in the country, Kent State prepares students for the journey ahead. By earning a master’s degree, you’ll open up many career paths and opportunities, including content localization.
Understanding Content Localization
In looking ahead to possible future careers, you may have come across content localization as an option, but you may be wondering “what is content localization?” or “what does it involve?”
Content localization takes information and makes it better suited for its audience or market. Rather than putting an emphasis solely on language, it incorporates and focuses on the locale. In fact, content localization requires a deeper understanding of groups and their values, using this information to enhance a translation.
When you practice content localization, you are building integrity and giving your intended audience the best chance to digest the message you are presenting. Your goal is to do more than just know the language of a different culture, since content localization provides the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in a culture to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of it, improving your end results.
Practicing Content Localization Strategy
Content localization requires a few elements to make sure that the message will resonate with your audience. To strengthen the message conveyed to your new audience, try practicing the following to enhance your content localization strategy:
- Connect to the market – Do extensive background research and take notes on traditions, typical activities, and other elements you find relevant. Truly embrace this part of the process by making an effort to understand what is important to the target market.
- Make it sound authentic – Gain credibility by adding authentic elements, whether based in language, culture, or locale. When an audience is presented with relatable elements, the content delivered becomes more trustworthy.
- Go beyond translation – Going beyond a basic translation can be highly beneficial. Since slang and terminology vary by market, direct translations are not sufficient and could end in problems or even a campaign disaster. Localization gives the translator the ability to enhance the piece in creative ways.
- Localize images – Images and infographics can be just as important as standard written text. By supporting your content with appropriate images, the audience can better understand and visualize the content being described.
- Maintain consistency – Using the same keywords that are relevant to a given culture will only emphasize and maintain a consistent message. This will also help your audience receive the content as you intended it.
Why a Master’s Degree from Kent State Will Be an Asset in Your Journey
By earning your M.A. in Translation from Kent State, you’ll become fully immersed in the language of your choice, expanding your knowledge of both language and culture, aspects that are vital when it comes to the content localization field.
You do not need any prior translating experience to be accepted into our program, as we only require proficiency in a foreign language. If you have a passion for translation and want to pursue the field for your career, we’re ready to help.
Kent State offers both online on on-site options for completing your master’s degree. Plus, with six different language options to concentrate in, our program ensures you’ll find the right path for you. Options for language concentration include Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish.
Choose Kent State to Put Yourself on the Path to a Content Localization Career
Kent State graduates emerge from our program prepared for their career ahead.
If you are interested in earning your M.A. in Translation, you can request information from us or apply now. We look forward to reviewing your application!