Global Foundations: Localization vs Internationalization

Internationalization builds the foundation for worldwide deployment, while localization adapts products for specific target markets. Differentiating between the two helps businesses develop more efficient international workflows. This post takes a look at how these complementary processes function together when creating products for foreign target audiences.

The Meaning of I18n

Internationalization is the process of designing a software application or product so it can be adapted to various languages and regions without requiring engineering changes. The term is abbreviated as i18n because there are 18 letters between the ‘i’ and ‘n’ in “internationalization.”

The i18n process usually entails:

• Separating user interface text from code into resource files
• Supporting Unicode and various character encoding standards
• Creating adaptable layouts that accommodate text expansion/contraction
• Enabling bidirectional text support (right to left languages like Hebrew)
• Building flexibility for different date, number and currency formats
• Designing for cultural differences in color meanings and imagery

An internationalized software product might not yet be translated, but it is architected to support multiple languages and locale-specific components once those translations are ready to be input.

A Working Definition of L10n

Localization is the process of adapting a product or content for a particular locale or market. The term is abbreviated as l10n because, you guessed it, the number of letters between the ‘l’ and ‘n’ in localization is 10.

Generally speaking, localization involves:

• Translating text to the target language
• Adapting graphics and design elements for cultural appropriateness
• Converting currencies, units, and date formats
• Addressing local regulations and legal requirements
• Modifying content to match local preferences and customs
• Testing to ensure functionality in the target market

So while internationalization focuses on making a product adaptable, localization actually implements those adaptations for specific target markets.

Differences Between Internationalization and Localization

The biggest difference between internationalization and localization lies in their timing and focus:

Microsoft defines internationalization as the “creation of software that adapts to locales around the world,” while localization takes this adaptable foundation and implements specific market versions. In global product development, the two processes form a sequential relationship:

1. Internationalization first: products must be internationalized before they can be efficiently localized
2. One i18n, many l10n: a single internationalization process enables as many localization processes as you need
3. Continuous cycle: as products evolve, both processes continue iteratively

Think of internationalization as creating a flexible template, while localization fills that template with market-specific content. Without proper i18n, l10n becomes exponentially more difficult and expensive.

Localization vs Internationalization: Technical Examples

To understand these concepts more concretely, consider these technical examples.

Internationalization Example:

// Bad (non-internationalized) code
alert("Welcome to our store!");

// Good (internationalized) code
alert(getLocalizedString("WELCOME_MESSAGE"));

The internationalized approach extracts text to resource files that can be translated without changing code.

Localization Example:

// English resource file
WELCOME_MESSAGE = "Welcome to our store!"

// Spanish localized resource file
WELCOME_MESSAGE = "¡Bienvenido a nuestra tienda!"

// Arabic localized resource file (with RTL considerations)
WELCOME_MESSAGE = "!مرحباً بكم في متجرنا"

Each localized version adapts the content to a specific locale, while the internationalized code remains unchanged.

A High-Level Strategy

An internationalization and localization strategy roadmap for a digital product would typically include the following points.

1. Plan globally from the start: consider i18n requirements early in product development
2. Design with translation in mind: allow space for text expansion (German and Finnish, for example, typically expand 30-40% from English)
3. Implement Unicode support: ensure your product can display characters from all languages
4. Create flexible layouts: design interfaces that work with both right-to-left and left-to-right languages
5. Externalize content: separate all translatable content from code
6. Prioritize markets: develop a roadmap for the locales to be targeted first
7. Work with regional experts: engage native speakers for translation and cultural adaptation
8. Test in target markets: validate localized versions with users from each locale

This strategic approach minimizes costs while maximizing global market potential.

Real-World Applications

Internationalization and localization serve different functions across various industry applications, as the following cases illustrate.

E-commerce Platforms:

• i18n: Building catalog systems that support multiple currencies, tax structures, and shipping rules
• l10n: Implementing specific currencies, payment methods, and shipping options for each country

Mobile Applications:

• i18n: Designing flexible layouts that adjust for different text directions and lengths
• l10n: Creating language-specific versions with appropriate cultural references and imagery

Video Games:

• i18n: Building systems for swappable text, audio, and cultural elements
• l10n: Adapting dialog, voice acting, cultural references, and sometimes game mechanics for different markets

Manufacturing:

• i18n: Creating template-based assembly instructions with minimal text
• l10n: Providing language-specific assembly instructions for products sold in different countries

These examples show how internationalization provides the technical architecture to enable localization. The two processes work as complementary stages rather than competing approaches.

Common Challenges

Both processes do face distinct challenges though.

Internationalization Challenges:

• Retrofitting existing products for internationalization
• Supporting bidirectional text in user interfaces
• Handling input methods for various languages (especially Asian languages)
• Managing pluralization rules that vary by language
• Accommodating different name and address formats

Localization Challenges:

• Finding qualified translators for specialized content
• Maintaining consistent terminology across translations
• Adapting to rapidly evolving local regulations
• Managing the complexity of multiple parallel versions
• Keeping localized versions in sync with product updates

Addressing these challenges requires specialized expertise and careful planning.

Where Does Globalization Tie Into I18n and L10n?

Globalization is a broader business concept that encompasses both internationalization and localization. While i18n and l10n focus on product and content adaptation, globalization extends to market research and entry strategy, legal and regulatory compliance, international business operations, cross-border logistics and fulfillment, and global customer support.

Internationalization and localization fall under the technical implementation aspect of a broader globalization strategy. A company might have excellent i18n and l10n processes yet still struggle with globalization because of business or regulatory challenges in new markets.

Understanding when to focus on which process helps optimize global development.

Internationalize when:

• Designing new products or major updates
• Building core technology platforms
• Creating content management systems
• Developing templates and frameworks
• Planning for eventual global expansion

Localize when:

• Entering specific new markets
• Addressing performance issues in existing markets
• Responding to cultural feedback
• Updating for local regulatory changes
• Expanding product features for specific regions

The best approach typically involves building internationalization into your development process from the beginning, then implementing localization as needed for each target market.

Tools and Technologies for I18n and L10n

Modern internationalization and localization rely on a specialized stack.

Internationalization Tools:

• Unicode libraries for character encoding
• i18n frameworks for various programming languages
• Pseudo-localization testing tools
• Bidirectional text support libraries
• Format detection and conversion utilities

Localization Tools:

• Translation management systems (TMS)
• Computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools
• Machine translation with human post-editing
• Terminology databases and glossaries
• Localization quality assurance testing suites

These technologies help streamline global product development and reduce the complexity of managing multiple language versions.

What’s Next?

Several trends are shaping the evolution of i18n and l10n:

• AI-powered translation: machine translation is increasingly viable for certain content types
• Continuous localization: automated workflows that localize content as it’s created
• Hyper-localization: more granular market targeting beyond just language
• User-generated translation: community involvement in localization efforts
• Voice and multi-modal interfaces: new challenges for internationalization

For businesses expanding across borders, internationalization and localization must be integrated into standard development practices. The relationship between these processes remains symbiotic—internationalization creates the technical foundation that makes localization possible, while localization brings internationalized products to life in each target market. Companies that succeed globally invest strategically in both.

FAQ: Internationalization vs Localization