ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G04-005 · ATLAS 259

Localisation

Localisation adapts a product or content to a particular linguistic, cultural and practical environment.

Part of the subject path Translation and Untranslatability

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

F · Figure / procedure R1 · Distinct contribution to understanding

Localisation adds target environments as conditions for adapting language, form, and use. It differs from merely translating individual strings and from unrestricted creation of new content.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

Localisation adapts a product or content to a particular linguistic, cultural and practical environment. Translation may be part of the process, but date formats, sorting, text length and the interpretation of symbols can also require adaptation. Its relationship to domestication is therefore limited. Localisation names a broader workflow, whereas domestication can describe a particular translational orientation. A localised edition may preserve visible foreign origins. Nor should a target audience be equated with a homogeneous national culture. Decisions require concrete conditions of use and requirements that can be checked.

Movement of thought

1. Describe the target environment. 2. Identify linguistic and functional requirements separately. 3. Locate adaptable elements. 4. Test the result in use. 5. Document losses and retained foreignness.

Scientific use case

Translation research and usability studies can compare linguistic decisions with functional comprehension.

Example

An appointment display receives German text and unambiguous dates while personal names and deliberately foreign-language work titles remain unchanged.

Counterexample

Translating every word is insufficient if longer text makes controls unreadable or dates remain ambiguous.

Distinction

Distinguish localisation from translation alone, domestication and preparatory internationalisation.

Effect on thought and perception

Localisation connects linguistic mediation with actual conditions of use.

Resonance

Content finds a new place without necessarily losing every trace of its origin.

Provenance

Parallel corpus 98f0950771ae4662f291d2f15f5c51b6797f3c20ba458a68615cdb177002ea18; case-bounded source review accepted; human specialist review not claimed.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Localisation“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G04-005. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G04-005

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G04-005

The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. Editorial reading state: 2026-10-15. Include your access date for precise references.