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Article published In:
The Metalanguage of Translation
Edited by Yves Gambier and Luc van Doorslaer
[Target 19:2] 2007
► pp. 337–357

The metalanguage of localization

Theory and practice

| Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland

In recent years localization has become a popular concept in both translation practice and theory. It has developed a language of its own, which, however, still seems to be little known among translation scholars. What is more, being primarily an industry-based discourse, the terms related to localization are very fluid, which makes theorizing about it difficult. Therefore, the aim of this article is, first of all, to explain the basic terms of the metalanguage of localization, as they are used by both localization practitioners and scholars, and, secondly, to make this metalanguage more consistent by proposing some general definitions that cover the basic concepts in localization. This, in turn, should, on the one hand, facilitate scholar-to-practitioner communication and vice versa and, on the other, should result in concept standardization for training purposes. In the conclusions I link the present discussion of the metalanguage of localization to a more general debate on metalanguage(s) in Translation Studies and propose that in the future we might witness the emergence of a new discipline called Localization Studies.

Keywords: globalization, glocalization, internationalization, localization, text distribution, translation
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Localization: Practical considerations
    • 2.1The birth of a new industry and its evolution
    • 2.2The new working environment
    • 2.3The GILT industry
      • 2.3.1Globalization
      • 2.3.2Internationalization
      • 2.3.3Localization
      • 2.3.4Translation
  • 3.Localization: Theoretical considerations
    • 3.1Translation as part of localization
      • 3.1.1Transforming Content and Package
      • 3.1.2Localization as text distribution
    • 3.2Localization as part of translation
    • 3.3Glocalization
  • 4.Conclusions
  • Note
  • References
Published online: 18 January 2008
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/target.19.2.11maz
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