Arabic is the 5th most spoken language in the world, and it includes more than 30 different dialects. Arabic-speaking countries span the Arabian Peninsula to North Africa and Arabic is the official language in 26 countries in total.
The Arabic language has always played a major role in the global market. Nowadays, Arabic-speaking countries offer investors great opportunities to grow their businesses. Hence, to effectively enter the Arabic market, companies have no choice but to localize their websites, social media content, marketing campaigns…etc to adapt their services or products to the Arabic culture and context.
In this post, we will shed light on the best practices for localizing your content for an Arabic audience.
…But what is localization?
Localization is the process of adapting a product or service to a specific local and cultural context. Translation is only one of several elements in the localization process which includes:
Adapting design and layout to properly display translated text in the target language
Adapting sorting functions to the alphabetical order of a specific region or country
Changing formats for date and time, addresses, numbers, currencies, etc. for specific a target language, region or country
Adapting graphics to suit the expectations and tastes of the target audience
Modifying content to suit the tastes and consumption habits of the target audience
Tips for an ultimate Arabic localization
Arabic is considered to be one of the most difficult languages to localize. The Arabic language’s richness, diversity, and complexity make localization challenging. On top of that, technology is lacking and insufficient to accommodate the Arabic language, especially when compared to that of other dominant languages like English. Also, localization requires extensive research and preparation.
Besides, Arabic is a language that stands out with its unique qualities. Here are some crucial points you should know before working with Arabic:
Arabic is written from right to left
Spoken Arabic is different from written Arabic
Arabic letters change shape depending on their position in the word. Standing alone, each letter has a different shape than in combination with other letters, and there is a separate shape for the starting, middle, and ending positions in the word
There are three number forms: Singular, dual, and plural
The verb comes first in Arabic
Adjectives follow the noun
Nouns have three “states”: Indefinite, definite, and status constructs
The letters are arranged in such a way that they cannot be separated across the lines
Most Arabic words are derived from a three-letter stem that provides the basic concept, only consonants are counted. Additional letters can be placed in front of, between, or after the main letters in order to further define the exact concept that the word is to convey
To ensure that your product or service gets released with the highest localization quality in the Arabic market, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Know your target audience
Arabic has several dialects such as:
Egyptian Arabic, spoken in Egypt.
Gulf Arabic, spoken in UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman.
Levantine Arabic, present in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine.
Thus, picking the suitable variant is crucial to marketing your products and services effectively in the targeted country or region.
Avoid machine translation
Arabic is an expressive poetic language full of idioms and metaphors. Many concepts, phrases, and terms do not have an equivalent in English.
Machine translation is a common technique used by businesses because it supposedly saves a lot of time. However, it is not recommended for Arabic translation and localization. In fact, a machine is unable to adequately understand translation context or find the best equivalent for an idiomatic expression. Instead, translation and localization projects should be handed to a qualified native speaker who has the necessary cultural sensitivity that enables them to translate your material in an authentic and accurate way. By doing so, you save a lot of time and money.
Imagery and visuals are important
Images and visual elements are a great way to connect with your target audience, they are also essential for establishing a good reputation in Arab markets. Some Arabic cultures can be quite sensitive to topics like gender, politics, religion, and sexuality. Hence, special attention must be given to flags, emojis, or people in your website’s visuals for instance. Given the diversity of the Arabic community, some images may be acceptable in certain regions, while conservative audiences may find them offensive.
Always ensure that your images are culturally appropriate for your target audience. For example, women are expected to cover their heads in some Muslim cultures. A website featuring a woman with a short dress may be seen as offensive. Always work with reputed partners to insure the best quality if you want to connect with your Arabic-speaking audience.
Arabic is a beautiful language and essential for business and trade nowadays. If you aim to attract more opportunities to your company, we can assist you by insuring the best quality Arabic localization and translation services. Contact us
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