In a recent article on Articulate’s blog, “Translation vs. Localization: What’s the Difference?”, the distinction between translation and localization is clarified for learning and development professionals. Translation focuses on converting text from one language to another, maintaining accuracy in vocabulary and grammar. Localization, however, goes further by adapting content to a specific target audience or market. This includes considering cultural nuances, local regulations, and regional preferences.

For learning and development, understanding this difference is crucial. Translation ensures your message is understood, while localization guarantees it resonates with the specific cultural context of your learners. This can significantly improve engagement and comprehension, leading to more effective training programs. When expanding learning initiatives globally, localization ensures content is not only linguistically accurate but also culturally relevant, avoiding potential misunderstandings and enhancing the overall learning experience. Paying attention to these details can greatly benefit our own company’s global outreach and training effectiveness.

Articulate now offers a trial for a new built-in localization functionality. With the click of a button the course will be localized to one or several of many possible different localizations.