Monolingual localization guidelines 

IMPORTANT:  Please remember that client-specific instructions take precedence over any guidelines in this document should any discrepancies arise.

What is monolingual localization?

Monolingual localization refers to the process of adapting a text to a different variant or dialect of the same language, accounting for linguistic and cultural nuances. For example, European Spanish differs from Latin American Spanish in various ways, much like British English differs from American English or Swiss French from Canadian French. 

Where will I see monolingual localization tasks?

Monolingual localization tasks will appear under the Reviews section

What should the localized content look like?

The language used in the localized content should reflect the distinct cultural contexts and linguistic preferences of the target audience. The message should be conveyed effectively and authentically and should connect with the local audience.

In summary, your content should not only reflect the linguistic conventions of the target variant but also be relevant and meaningful to the target audience.

What should I look for when doing monolingual localization?

Pay attention to the following elements and adapt them where necessary to ensure your content is linguistically correct and culturally appropriate to the target audience. 

Spelling

🇬🇧> 🇺🇸: Modify British spellings to match American standards (e.g., 'colour' to 'color', 'theatre' to 'theater', 'organise' to 'organize').

Vocabulary

🇬🇧> 🇺🇸: Replace British terms with their American counterparts (e.g., 'boot' to 'trunk', 'flat' to ‘apartment’).

Cultural references

🇬🇧> 🇺🇸: Update references to align with American culture, including idiomatic expressions, historical figures, and geographical locations (e.g., 'A&E' to ‘ER').

⇒The scope of cultural adaptation will vary from client to client or from job to job. In some cases, you will just need to adapt any idioms that are present while in others, you will need to translate peoples’ names or even move the action to the target location (e.g., converting mentions of  “London” to “New York”). Always ensure you’re familiar with the instructions to know what’s the degree of cultural adaptation required. 

Currency and measurement units

🇬🇧 > 🇺🇸 Convert measurements to the American system (e.g.,’metres’ to ’yards’, ‘litres’ to ‘gallons’), and change currency mentions from pounds to dollars, making currency conversions if appropriate, according to the client's instructions  (e.g., '£10' to '$13')

Grammar and punctuation conventions

🇬🇧 > 🇺🇸 Revise grammar rules and punctuation practices to reflect American usage (e.g. in British English, the period and comma are placed outside quotation marks, but in American English, they’re placed inside). 

Date and Time Formats:

🇬🇧 > 🇺🇸 Adapt date expressions to the American convention (e.g., ‘dd/mm/yyyy‘ to 'mm/dd/yyyy') and convert to the time formats when necessary, including AM/PM designation (e.g., ‘22:00’ to ‘8pm’).

Happy localizing!