Germany And Its Languages – A Localization Manager’s View

The German language is spoken by more than 100 million people, primarily in Germany but also in Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg. The majority speaks of people living in the European Union.

The German language is one of the most complexes in the world. The orthography is relatively straightforward and consistent, but it can be difficult for non-native speakers to learn to read and write German correctly. Additionally, there are many dialects of German within Germany itself, which adds to the complexity of localization projects.

Before entering this market, it is crucial to understand that translation is more than just changing words from one language to another. It involves adapting content to fit the cultural norms and expectations of readers within the target country or region. 

For example: if you want to sell a product in Germany, it would be best not only to translate your website into German but also to adapt content so that it fits with local customs and traditions as well as adhere to legal requirements for selling goods or services online (such as consumer protection laws).

 

The Three German Language Versions You Need to Know

German has three major variants: 

1. High German (Hochdeutsch). 
2. Low German (Plattdeutsch). 
3. Middle German (Mittelhochdeutsch). 

Each variant has its unique characteristics, vocabulary and grammar rules. As a result, localization companies specializing in high-quality translations must be proficient in all three variants to provide accurate translations for their clients.

For example: If a company only translates from High German into English or Spanish, then there is a chance that they will overlook errors or misinterpretations caused by a lack of knowledge about Low or Middle German culture. However, if that same company specializes in translating from all three variants, they will have better chances of creating accurate translations that are true to their source material.

How To Market a Foreign-Sounding Brand in Germany

The German market is one of the largest in Europe, but it can be difficult for a foreign company to enter. There are many reasons for this; however, one of the most important is that the German language has its own dialects and rules.

For localization to succeed in Germany, it is essential to know these rules and adapt your marketing strategy accordingly.

1. Translation is Not Localization

You should first know that translation and localization are two different things. The term “translation” refers to converting text from one language into another language, while localization refers to adapting a product or service for use in a specific country or region.

2. Localization is About Culture

You can’t simply translate your website into German and expect it to work well there. Localization goes beyond just translating words on your site; it’s about understanding how people think and behave differently across different cultures worldwide — including Germany.

3. Don’t Forget About SEO

Localization isn’t just about getting translations right; it’s also about ensuring they are appropriately implemented so they don’t affect your search engine optimization (SEO). This means also adding a proper Meta description.

In Summary

There are some extra complications when it comes to the German localization industry, but the German market could make a lot of people very wealthy if they can get it right. The extra effort required to cater to the German audience is ultimately worth it. It’s just a matter of ensuring you have the right partner doing the work. In this case, Eurolingo.