Localization is the process of adapting software to work in different languages, regions and cultures. It's like teaching your app to speak Klingon just to impress the three users who actually want that.

How to use it in a sentence

I thought my app was ready for launch, but then the product manager started babbling about localization and now I'm stuck dealing with time zones and Unicode.

My startup is going global! And by global I mean we're spending a ton of money on localization so Europeans don't laugh at our attempts to format dates.

If you actually want to learn more...

• Localization is critical for expanding your software's reach globally. Learn the fundamentals of l10n and i18n in this comprehensive guide: The Definitive Guide to App Localization in 2023

• Planning a localization project for your app? Check out this article on the key considerations and best practices for successful localization: App Localization: 7 Best Practices & Checklist for Success

• Localization goes beyond just translating strings. Learn how Netflix approaches localization at scale, including challenges like right-to-left languages and double-byte characters: Localization Technologies at Netflix

Note: the Developer Dictionary is in Beta. Please direct feedback to skye@statsig.com.