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Localize Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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localize

[ˈloʊ.kəl.aɪz ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

in software development

To adapt a product or service to a particular language, culture, or market.

Synonyms

adapt, customize, translate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
localize

Use when you want to adjust content, products, or services to meet the specific needs of a local market or audience. This often involves changes in language, cultural references, and regional preferences.

  • The app needs to be localized for the Japanese market.
  • We are localizing the website content to better suit our Spanish customers.
adapt

Applicable when you're modifying something to fit new conditions or using it for a different purpose. This can involve technical, linguistic, or contextual changes but doesn't necessarily imply a complete translation.

  • The marketing strategy was adapted for online channels.
  • The book was adapted into a movie.
translate

Used when converting text or speech from one language to another. Focus is mainly on changing the language, but it might not involve cultural or contextual adaptation.

  • She translated the document from French to English.
  • The instructions need to be translated into multiple languages.
customize

Best used when personalizing or tailoring something to fit individual preferences or specific requirements of a customer or client.

  • You can customize the dashboard according to your needs.
  • The software allows users to customize their profiles.

Examples of usage

  • Before launching the app globally, they needed to localize it for different regions.
  • The company decided to localize their website in order to attract more international customers.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Technology

  • In the tech world, localizing software means adjusting it for different languages and cultural norms.
  • Companies often hire localization experts to ensure apps resonate with local users, improving engagement and satisfaction.

Cultural Significance

  • Localizing a product often involves adapting marketing strategies to align with cultural practices and preferences.
  • Successful localization can make a global brand feel more familiar and relatable to a specific audience.

Education

  • In language education, localization refers to teaching that focuses on local dialects and cultural references.
  • Educational materials are often localized to ensure they are relevant and effective for students from different areas.

Business

  • Businesses looking to expand internationally frequently invest in localization to better connect with new markets.
  • Proper localization can significantly boost a company's reputation and customer loyalty in diverse regions.

Origin of 'localize'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'localis', meaning 'belonging to a place'.
  • It gained its current usage in English around the early 20th century, initially in terms of physical locations.

The term 'localize' originated in the early 20th century, derived from the word 'local' with the suffix '-ize' added to indicate the action of making something local. Initially used in the context of linguistics, it later expanded to include various industries such as software development and marketing.

See also: local, locale, locales, localism, locality, localization, localized, locals.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,138, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.