Localization & Cultural Adaptation Flashcards
7 cards from real CTP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Localization & Cultural Adaptation flashcards as text
In localization, what does the acronym 'FIGS' stand for?
Answer: French, Italian, German, Spanish — the four main Western European target languages
FIGS (French, Italian, German, Spanish) is an industry shorthand for the four most common Western European target languages in software and product localization.
What is 'back-translation' primarily used for in localization quality assurance?
Answer: Translating a document back into the original language to verify accuracy and detect mistranslations
Back-translation involves translating a localized text back into the source language by an independent translator to identify meaning shifts or errors in the target version.
When localizing color usage in a product, a translator or localization specialist should be aware that white is associated with mourning in which cultural context?
Answer: Several East Asian cultures, including parts of China and Japan
In several East Asian cultures, white is traditionally associated with death and mourning, whereas in Western cultures it typically signifies purity or cleanliness.
Which translation strategy is described as 'domestication'?
Answer: Adapting foreign cultural references to feel natural and familiar within the target culture
Domestication replaces foreign cultural elements with equivalents familiar to the target audience, prioritizing readability and cultural comfort over literal fidelity.
What factor most critically determines whether content requires cultural adaptation versus direct translation?
Answer: The degree to which the content relies on cultural references, idioms, or locally specific values
Content that relies on cultural context, idioms, humor, or locally specific values requires adaptation; neutral technical content typically needs only direct translation.
Which international standard specifically addresses quality requirements for translation services, including cultural competence?
Answer: ISO 17100
ISO 17100 specifies requirements for translation service providers, including translator competencies that encompass cultural and subject-matter knowledge.
When a localization team adapts a product for a new market by preserving source-culture elements to give the target audience an authentic foreign experience, this strategy is called:
Answer: Foreignization
Foreignization intentionally retains source-culture elements in the translation, exposing the target audience to the foreign cultural context rather than adapting it away.