Localization

Localization – sometimes written as l10n, where 10 is the number of letters between l and n – is an aspect of internationalization focused on adapting software to different cultural and regional needs.

The boundary between internationalization and localization is fuzzy. At Mozilla we refer to localization when we talk about adapting the user interface and messages, while internationalization handles operations on raw data.

Note

Localization is a broader term than translation because it involves extensive research into the target culture, and in result touches not only text and UI translation but also cultural adaptation of icons, communication styles, colors, and UX.