{"id":245403,"date":"2025-03-13T10:56:44","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T14:56:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.motionpoint.com\/?post_type=blog&p=245403"},"modified":"2025-05-05T13:29:17","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T17:29:17","slug":"6-challenges-of-translation-localization-to-prepare-for","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.motionpoint.com\/blog\/6-challenges-of-translation-localization-to-prepare-for\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Challenges Of Translation & Localization To Prepare For"},"template":"","blog_categories":[10,5,11,9,15],"resource_categories":[37,30,24,20,33,21,23,19,18],"targeted_localized_audience":[],"document_categories":[146,171,159,163,153],"class_list":["post-245403","blog","type-blog","status-publish","hentry","blog_categories-marketing-strategies-customer-experience","blog_categories-international-business-strategies","blog_categories-marketing-strategies-international-seo","blog_categories-marketing-strategies","blog_categories-website-translation","resource_categories-content-type-blog-post","resource_categories-business-goal","resource_categories-role-business-strategist","resource_categories-topic-digital-marketing","resource_categories-business-goal-global-expansion","resource_categories-topic-international-marketing","resource_categories-role-marketer","resource_categories-topic-motionpoint","resource_categories-topic-website-translation","document_categories-blog-post","document_categories-marketer","document_categories-operational-challenges","document_categories-research","document_categories-translation-challenges"],"acf":{"article_word_count":"3702","article_read_time":"15","blog_short_description":"Translating and localizing content creates many challenges. Discover the 6 main challenges of translation and localization and how to overcome them here.","news_inline_styles":"","blog_video_id":"","article_body":"

Translation is rarely as simple as matching a text word-for-word in a different language. In fact, achieving the highest translation quality often requires a blend of creativity and problem-solving. Why? Because professional translators must account for words that have a different meaning, depending on the context, cultural nuances, and much more.<\/span> Thus, website translation services<\/a> can be critical when navigating translation and localization.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this article, we take a look at the six most common website translation challenges and how they affect the translation process.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Troubles with Customizing Language and Word Choice<\/h2>\n

Not all language is literal, and many countries and dialects have their own figures of speech, metaphors, and unique made-up words. A figure of speech deviates from the literal meaning of a word or phrase, often in a culturally-relevant way. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even countries that speak the same language have unique expressions that make little sense outside their borders. For example, Australians sometimes call traveling \u201cgone walkabout\u201d, which refers to the Aboriginal rite of passage that required male adolescents to go on a long journey.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We’re going to take you through some of the most complex aspects of language when it comes to professional translation:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Idioms<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

An idiom is a series of words in a fixed order that has a meaning that differs from each word on its own. For example, \u2018a piece of cake\u2019 in English refers to something that is easy. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Literally translating, \u201ca piece of cake,\u201d wouldn\u2019t make sense in another language, so a translator will typically replace it with a similar idiom. In Mexican Spanish, people may say \u201cpan comido\u201d for \u201ceaten bread.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, some idioms don\u2019t have a similar phrase in another language. When that\u2019s the case, a translator may either paraphrase it or leave it in the original language and add a footnote with an approximate translation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Irony and Sarcasm<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Irony can be hard to grasp even for native speakers of a language! It\u2019s used often though, like\u00a0if a teacher asks a question and no one answers, she may say, \u201cDon\u2019t everyone speak at once.\u201d She isn\u2019t literally asking her class to stay quiet but is calling attention to the fact that no one has answered.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, sarcasm is often intended to be playful or teasing. Someone may say \u201cnice shoes\u201d in a mocking tone to indicate that they actually find the shoes ugly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some irony and sarcasm are untranslatable. In those cases, a translator may paraphrase the statement to convey the intended meaning. If it can be translated, the translator has to be careful to make it culturally relevant. Striking the right tone is essential when translating these figures of speech.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Metaphors and Similes<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

A metaphor uses a word in place of another to suggest a likeness. For example, you could say a new employee who pitches great ideas is \u201ca breath of fresh air.\u201d Similes serve a similar function, but typically introduce the phrase using the words like or as. If someone is persistent, you may say \u201che\u2019s as stubborn as a mule.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Like other figures of speech, metaphors and similes tend to be culture bound. This means translators must determine whether a phrase with a similar meaning exists in the target language. The phrase \u201cstubborn as a mule\u201d, for example, can be translated to \u201cone\u2019s head is stiff\u201d in Japanese.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tone and Diction<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Tone is an essential part of any brand localization. It sets your brand apart from competitors and allows you to connect with customers on a more personal level. Tone of voice includes slogans and taglines, website copy, blogs, advertising campaigns, and other customer-facing communications.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To transmit a brand\u2019s message correctly, translators must carefully reproduce the same tone of voice in the target language. That requires taking several stylistic factors into consideration such as:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n