Akorbi, the United States’ largest women-owned language services provider, offers world-class localization services so you can reach your target audience more effectively. In today’s blog from Akorbi, we talk about how cultural influences can change localization practices.
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Local Dialects
Local dialects can change from region to region, and even city to city or village to village, all within the same language. You can see this even in American English. People pronounce words differently in the Northeast versus the South. Dialects may change due to isolation of cities, demographic shifts as people move or age, or the disappearance of isolated languages. Localization takes into account the dialects of your target audience.
Family Languages
When we say family languages, we mean a language that is spoken just among members of certain families. Think about vocabulary just used among a nuclear family. For instance, a young child uses the term “bless you” to refer to a “sneeze.” That word sticks through adulthood and to the next generation. This simplistic
example represents one way vocabulary changes in a language within a family versus an entire region or city. Localization can help address this type of issue.
Religion
Religion plays a huge role in localization practices. Religious practices definitely change from region to region and city to city. For example, Japan and India have diverse holy shrines throughout their countries paying homage to deities, events, and/or holidays.
Religious principles, like dialects, may change from locale to locale. Ceremonies, literature, rituals, and practices each have their own unique terminology, moral principles, stigmas, taboos, and vocabulary. When the situation is nuanced, localization helps to send just the right message to an audience.
Cultural Values
Cultural values define the morals of a society in a local area. You need localization when you market your products or services to a target audience to meet the community standards of a particular culture. For example, one city in a particular region values the symbol of a local bird. But in a nearby city, they value the symbol of a local reptile. Perhaps these symbols represent spiritual figures or sports teams. Either way, you don’t want to confuse one symbol in one locale with another when it comes to your brand messaging. That’s why localization services help you distinguish between target markets.
Stereotypes
Stereotypes are bad. That’s why you want to avoid them to make your messaging as inclusive as possible. Localization helps you avoid stereotypes because one message may be appropriate in one area of a country but insulting to another. What causes stereotypes? Many factors come into play, such as religion, cultural values, a past event that defined a region, or migrations to or from an area. Akorbi’s localization can help you manage your message to your growing target audience.
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Akorbi’s Localization Services
Akorbi’s localization services can help you reach a larger target audience as your business grows. Contact Akorbi online or call 1-877-4-AKORBI for more information on what we can do for you!