With globalization and the emergence of ever more sophisticated technologies, the world is literally at our fingertips thanks to the internet. In this digital world, more than a billion people around the world use smartphones, such as iPhone or Android devices. Making mobile applications powerful tools to reach a global audience. Data shows that it is crucial to translate your mobile application, an essential tool, to overcome cultural and linguistic barriers. Why is app translation so crucial? How can companies go about ensuring their product speaks the language of every potential user?
The importance of translating your app
In the current context, where the smartphone is omnipresent, translating your application is crucial to maximize its accessibility and adoption in the French market on a global scale. According to data from the “ State of Mobile 2022 ” report published by App Annie, the online application market has experienced constant growth. Particularly on Google Android and iOS, with a total spending of $170 billion on application stores in 2021. An increase of 19% compared to the previous year.
The top powerhouses in the mobile app market in 2021 were China, with over 98 billion downloads. Followed by India with 26.7 billion and the United States with 12.2 billion. Even though France ranks 17th, it recorded an impressive total of 2.07 billion downloads. The number of online application users (Android and iOS) increased from 1.5 billion in 2014 to nearly 2.5 billion in 2019. These figures clearly show the importance of targeting an international audience: the translation of your application in several languages, will allow you to considerably increase your potential user base.
Choosing the right languages
It is crucial to target the countries that best suit your market. This selection will depend on the segment of your mobile application and the countries where it is likely to have the greatest resonance. For example, if you are targeting an English version of your photo/video app, you need to be sure that the English will be suitable for your audience.
Making your application accessible by having it translated into languages such as English, Spanish or Chinese allows a new audience, initially not targeted, to find the app and experience it. As an avid app user, how many times have you persisted in using an app, even a free one, that was not in your native language? Rarely, right?
To determine which languages to adapt and translate your application into, analyze your competitors. What languages have they adopted for their website or app? Ask yourself which markets would be most likely to welcome your service or product.
Much more than a simple translation
Online tools like Deepl, Google Translate or the Microsoft dictionary can be useful. But they are not always very precise and often generate errors. To make good use of them, it is recommended to reserve their use for quickly understanding content as a whole. Write an email in another language, communicate with other people in another language in a personal or uninviting context.
Because in fact, whether for a game or a service, the translated application must be adapted to the local culture and the language . And it’s not just about phrases or words. The translation carried out by a real professional translator is more precise, more nuanced. It makes it possible to adapt an original text to the cultural context of the targeted countries; a real asset for penetrating new markets.
Translating a text may seem simple on the surface, but it is full of nuances.
In a mobile application (or software for example), one of the major concerns in translation is the change in length between the original text and the translated text , called “ expanding coefficient ”. For example, an English text may be considerably longer or shorter when translated into French or Spanish. These variations can pose problems in translation, particularly in the field of mobile applications.
Imagine a button in your app that says “Play” in English. If you translate this button into French as “Play” or into German as “Spielen”. It is easy to understand that these words cannot fit perfectly in the same space. This impacts the visual appearance and ergonomics of the application .
The role of the translator therefore goes beyond simple literal translation. He must show creativity to ensure that the message remains coherent and applicable to technical constraints!
Descriptions in the “blinds”
A good description is crucial to attract the user to your app . The text must be concise, clear, and intriguing, while describing the use and target audience of the application. It is also important to understand how the different app stores manage and promote applications based on their translation.
For example, a good translation can improve the SEO of your application and its visibility in the recommendations of the iOS or Android app store. A determining point that contributes to the commercial success of your app!
The choice of the translator
Choosing a translator to translate an application is truly crucial. A simple Google search shows many translation services. It is vital to choose someone who is fluent not only in the language, but also in the target culture.
Translation is not limited to words. It should capture the essence of the application for different markets and languages.
A translation agency specializing in technical translation – translation of mobile applications , games, software, websites, etc. Perfectly understands the technical aspect essential to your project. But also usage habits according to different countries. For example, “basket” on a website is understood by everyone, but what would happen if the expression was translated into French as “bag” or “basket” or even “cabas”?
+ There are no comments
Add yours