localization is a technique of language translation that relies on finding an alternative for an intended message in the target audience’s culture.
Hence it localizes the product or service, to make it appear like a local brand.
This technique is very important with the current lifestyle, since it is the most inclusive you can get with translation. Localization is a linguistic process that is now implemented everywhere around the world. It is used in the East and West alike, as well as in the Middle East.
Here are some of the most prominent offices for language localization across the globe:
Fast Trans
Fast Trans is one of the leading fast-growing translation companies in the Middle East. Based in Cairo, their language services are luckily available in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. They also partner with several American companies.
To foreign businesses stepping in for the first time in the MENA, Fast Trans is there to offer an array of translation and localization services like SEO translation, website translation, transcreation, and localization of all kinds of content.
Additionally, it’s an ISO 9001 certified company by the National Accreditation Council (EGAC) You can judge their services for yourself by taking a look at samples of localization projects they previously worked on, in their extensive portfolio.
Email: info@fast4trans.com
Phone: 00201552196068
Tomedes
Tomedes Translation Services is a certified translation and localization company based in the United States. It is one of the leading companies in the field that aims to broaden the horizons of businesses in the US as well as globally.
It does that through a detailed localization process that guarantees linguistic and textual accuracy. The company focuses on working on the translation of documents in various fields such as legal, medical, financial, marketing, business, technical documents, and so much more.
Tomedes especially stands out due to its ability to ensure the quality of its localization and translation projects. It also has its spot, due to its wide range of localization services, including software localization, game localization, App localization, and website localization.
Contacts: +1 985 239 0142, support@tomedes.com
CyraCom International
CyraCom International Inc. is a translation company also based in the United States that provides interpretation and translation services.
It offers localization services, such as software and website localization, and has an extensive portfolio due to working with a number of organizations in the US and worldwide.
Offering its localization services in over 300 languages. The company’s main focus industries are healthcare, banking, and the government.
Contacts: +1-844-727-6739, getstarted@cyracom.com
Hogarth Worldwide
Hogarth Worldwide is a British marketing implementation agency founded in 2008 by Kevan Thorn and Barry Jones. What makes this company stand out in the field of localization is that it focuses on delivering the intended messages with creative texts and engaging experiences.
It targets delivering quality, control, and savings for a number of international brands.
Contacts: +44 20 7240 6400, hello@hogarthww.com
Acclaro
Works on content localization, eCommerce localization, eLearning localization, and software localization. It’s based in the US but has various offices across different regions.
It offers translation and localization services in over 125 languages, including English, Arabic, Italian, Japanese, German, and Spanish. Among Acclaro’s prominent clients are companies like Roku, Facebook, VISA, Intel, Uber, and Ralph Lauren.
Contacts: (866) 301 5616, info@acclaro.com
Honyaku Center
Honyaku Center is one of the leading Japanese companies for translation and localization. Founded in 1986, the company provides localization services for computer games, e-learning platforms, and websites.
It also works on translation for different fields such as automotive, machinery, electronics, medical and pharmaceutical, legal, governmental, educational translation.
Contacts: 81 6 6282 5020, dh-osaka@honyakuctr.co.jp
Arabize
One of the leading companies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with offices in Egypt and Switzerland. Founded in 1994, the company offers a litany of linguistic services, including localization. Arabize is known for its cultural experts who work to produce 100% relevant content to the client’s target audience.
The company has an office in Switzerland, with the headquarters being in Cairo. It offers translation and localization services in the legal field as well as the fields of finance, education, software, and marketing.
Contacts: +202 240551925
E2f
Founded in 2003. It offers localization services as well as machine translation detection and continuous translation. It was also listed on Forbes’s Top 30 Best Companies list for remote jobs!
Contacts: t+1 888 323 0050, customer@e2f.com
STAR Group
Founded in 1984, STAR Group is one of the leading companies in translation and localization in Switzerland. It focuses on technical documentation and software localization, along with other localization services. The company has over 50 offices around the world and works on translation and localization in 200+ different languages.
Contacts: +41 52 742 92 00, info@star-group.net
LanguageLine Solutions
An American translation and localization company founded in 1982.
Its main focus is law enforcement, healthcare organizations, legal courts, schools, and businesses. The company provides translation and localization services in 240+ languages, and it has various offices across the US.
Contacts: 0800 169 2879, enquiries@languageline.co.uk
Milengo
An ISO-certified German translation company. It slogans “easy, fast, and affordable,” according to its website.
They offer localization services that rely on computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools as well as desktop publishing tools, translation memory, and machine translations. It has native speakers providing services in over 220 language pairs.
Contacts: +49 30 47375996
Language Scientific
The go-to company for medical translation and localization services, Language Scientific is an American company founded in 1999.
It was founded by “a group of international scientists and engineers working together on a nuclear non-proliferation project for the US Department of Energy.”
They provide services for medical documents, clinical research, and medical device materials. The company also offers translation services in other scientific fields including aerospace, energy, architecture, and industrial manufacturing.
Contacts: +1 617 621 0940, info@languagescientific.com
What does a localization service provider or translation vendor do?
LSPs or translation vendors offer a comprehensive coverage of any of your language related needs. They are like a partner who are responsible for how your business content speaks to your target audience
They translate, adapt, localize, transcreate, proofread, internationalize…etc.
Whether it’s your website, product manual, app, or marketing materials, an LSP ensures your message feels natural and relevant to local markets.
Think of it this way: you’ve got a fantastic product, but if your customers can’t understand the instructions or if the translation misses key cultural cues, your message might fall flat.
That’s where an LSP comes in.
For this, LSP teams are usually very diverse. They work with linguists, cultural experts, and sometimes even software developers to accurately localize your content.
A framework for translation vendor selection
You can go about the decision of Vendor Selection methodologically:
Determine your needs
What content needs translation (e.g., websites, legal documents, marketing materials)?
What about the language pairs? Identify the source and target languages required.
Then estimate the amount of content that the vendor will handle.
Do your research & evaluate vendor expertise
There are plenty of factors to look for in a vendor that could determine if they’re a good fit for the project. These are the most important ones:
- Industry Experience
Look for vendors with experience in your specific industry. You can simply ask the project manager to elaborate on a similar project they worked on or send their portfolio to get a comprehensive look at the type of clients they mostly work with.
- Linguistic Proficiency
You could ask them to inform you of the certifications and years of experience their translators have. If not, request the CVs of the translators who are assigned to your project.
Moreover, you might want to look for certifications like ISO 17100, which indicates adherence to quality standards in translation services.
- Technical Capabilities
Check if they can handle specialized content, such as legal, technical, or medical documents. If not, then probably this partnership won’t yield the quality results you’re aiming at.
Additionally, do they utilize the latest translation tools? Like translation memories, TMS, CMS, CAT tools, and machine translation.
- Translation Process
This is crucial. You want to ask about the vendor’s translation workflow, including editing proofreading, and quality assurance.
When it comes to QA processes, you can formulate questions around their use of translation memory tools and glossaries to maintain consistency.
- Vendor Flexibility
Flexibility could imply that they can work with different translation volumes and tight deadlines, or that they’re willing to hire extra translators to work on a new language pair.
- Transparency around the Pricing Structure
Understand the pricing model—whether it’s per word, per hour, or project-based.
Then, compare the costs with the level of service offered.
Transparency also includes discussing hidden costs that could come up. This could be the costs of revisions or rush jobs, to eliminate chances of spending much more than your budget.
- Check References and Reputation
There are several ways to do that:
- Look for reviews and testimonials from previous clients.
- Request case studies or examples of similar projects they’ve successfully completed.
- Consider their reputation in the industry and any awards or recognitions.
Lastly, there are many vendors, Like Fast Trans who give a free translation sample as a test to their services. This could be a good chance to evaluate the quality, turnaround time, and most importantly how communicative and responsive the team is to your needs.
