Ken Subedi June 21, 2020

Nepali Localization Services

Localization is closely related with language experts and is more complex than translation. It mostly involves digital media focusing more on the cultural and regional choices targeted to a particular audience. The aim of localization is to make the product/service available for the local people in their own language. With the increasing number of Nepali speakers and globalization, localization for the users in their own Nepali language has become important. This doesn’t limit the scope of localization to only a single Nepalese territory but even beyond borders in countries such as Australia, United States, U.K., U.A.E., Malaysia and so on.

Through localization such globalized businesses connect with the Nepalese population in their own language through their platforms and channels which improves customer satisfaction and helps in the growth of business. Realizing this fact, several international brands such as Facebook, Google, Amazon are now seeking Nepali Localization services to operate their products in Nepali language. So what kind of localization services are available for Nepali language? We will discuss here.

1. Nepali Proofreading

Proofreading in Nepali localization services involves the process of reviewing the final draft and making sure that it is correct in terms of grammar of the target language. Several companies and organizations, on a regular basis have massive amount of documents and texts that get translated to Nepali language. Even after translation the document needs to be verified if it is absolutely correct or not in terms of Nepali grammar, style of the target language and the meaning that the source text wants to provide.

Not just the translated document but also every other document that is going to be used commercially needs to proofread well so that there are no mistakes as misinterpretation or error in the document could not only cost companies a lot of money but also damage their image/brand in front of their clients. Especially in case of legal documents proofreading becomes extremely crucial. In such cases, proofreading is not only about checking the document in terms of the quality of translation but also through a terminology perspective to ensure that the outcome in Nepali language or even Nepali to English language (as required by the business) is correct and in accordance with the source text.

2. Nepali Subtitles

A few years back the reach of Nepalese subtitles was limited mostly for international film festivals and documentaries. However, in the past few years, with the increase in viewership in streaming platforms, digital platforms and additional of more movies in YouTube, Nepali subtitles have seen growth. These can be English subtitles for English movies and series, documentaries and short videos or English subtitles for Nepali movies, documentaries and short videos.

As compared to other countries like India and China, where subtitles are available in Hindi and Mandarin respectively, Nepal has not yet had subtitles in the Nepali language but if there is demand companies can even add Nepali language subtitles as per need. This additional of subtitles will make the content more user-friendly for viewership and help visual content expand beyond borders.

3. Website Localization

In a few years after the launch World Wide Web during the 1990s, website localization has emerged especially after the year 1999. Website localization is basically the packaging translation service with technical services so that it can be accessible and culturally appealing to the target audience. It is not only about translating one single document in a website but the entire website as a whole to a new language where the entire content of the website acts as source material. In Nepali website localization, websites from other languages such as English, Chinese, and French get translated into its Nepali version. This way the targeted Nepalese population can access the website in their own Nepali language which promotes user friendly interface and becomes much easier to understand. Translating English to Nepali is not only enough for website localization but all the technical terms, words, metaphors and other contents have to be adjusted and interpreted in accordance with the Nepali audience in mind. Even though the content might look different the theme of the website and its interpretation remains the same under website localization.

Nowadays, with globalization and increase in the use of internet, websites are preferred method of getting information, contact and business operations that is why international brands or even the local brands tend to provide an additional feature of language select within the website. By doing this the Nepali users can view and understand the website in accordance with the Nepali language. Today Facebook, Google, Twitter and similar companies are providing their sites in their localized versions and even Nepalese banks, insurance companies and commercial sites finding this helpful to their businesses have started doing the same.

4. Application/ Game Localization

App localization is basically adapting the mobile interface with a foreign language specific to a certain target group. It is similar to website localization, the difference it is done in mobile apps and games. So the original content remains the same but it is only changed in terms of the language and cultural differences. With the number of smartphones users increasing all around the world, application localization presents an opportunity for business to localize their apps customized to a local audience making it more user-friendly thus increasing the number of its users.

Even international games can be localized in Nepali language. The benefit is that if the user doesn’t understand the option, foreign language or content he doesn’t need to google translate English to Nepali, Chinese to Nepali, French to Nepali every time . With localization in Nepali language the hassle of translating language in order to understand or use the feature/option/ menu is eradicated thus an easier process to use for the customer. The Nepali audience is also huge in terms of the number of smartphone users, mobile downloads and internet activity. This is why it’s ideal for businesses to provide localized applications and games to such audiences and increase the sales.