YNOT EUROPE – Are you confused about the language used in the translation world? Do you know the difference between a translation agency, a localization company and a language service provider?

If you are looking for translation services for the first time, the terms can be a little confusing. Here we’ll define some of the terms so that the next time you are looking for localization services you will know how to request exactly what you need.

Inside the industry, there is no difference between a translation agency, a localization company and a language service provider. Companies pick the names they feel best describe their services. The term “translation agency” has been around the longest, whereas “language service provider” is a relatively new term some companies have adopted to indicate they offer a range of translation and linguistic services, such as interpreters, desktop publishing, website localization and software localization in addition to translation.

When you are trying to decide what services you need, you also may run into service terms with which you are unfamiliar. Let’s start with the basics. Translation is the act of changing a document’s original, or source, language to a target language. The target’s text should be equivalent to the source. However, a good translator will modify more than just the words. He or she also will modify the tone, if necessary, so as to avoid offending, frightening, confusing or otherwise causing concern among readers of the finished target document.

Localization goes one step beyond translation, incorporating cultural context cues along with linguistics. In order to localize a text, the translator must know the target region in addition to the target language. For example, Mexican Spanish is different from the Spanish used in Spain. Often, if the information is available, the translator automatically will localize content while translating. However, it is better to be clear in your instructions to the translation agency to make sure the final product is what you want and need.

“Internationalization” and “globalization” are two more terms frequently used within the industry. Often, both are interchangeable with localization, but according to industry standards, they shouldn’t be. The Localization Industry Standards Association (LISA) has developed very specific definitions for each term. Internationalization is the process software product developers employ to ensure software will not need to be redesigned in order to work in multiple languages. One of the main tenets of internationalization is to keep explanatory text separate from source code so the text can be translated without interfering with the code. Globalization, on the other hand, is defined as addressing any business issues that may arise when a product is taken to the global marketplace. Globalization includes multilingual marketing and sales support, as well as any localization or internationalization that needs to take place.

Finally, we come to the term “website globalization.” In order for a website to work in another language, it needs to be both internationalized and localized. This process is referred to as website translation or website globalization.

Keep in mind that the above definitions are based on how LISA defines them, and translation companies may use the terms interchangeably. Localization, for example, often is used in a more general way that resembles the LISA definition of globalization. Therefore, it is critical that you and any translation agency with which you might like to work define terms that are meaningful to both of you.

This article was contributed to YNOT Europe by TranslationsXXX, an adult website translation service employing certified translators in 30 languages.