Translation and Localization
About the Minor
The Translation and Localization Minor is best suited for tech-savvy students who are proficient in at least two languages (source and target) and have a desire to bridge communication gaps between people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Students enrolled in this program build on their existing skills with foreign languages as they gain practical skills for translating texts in a variety of professional domains and familiarize themselves with the localization process, including project management.
Our program focuses on translation, localization, and project management, key components of the language services industry and prepares students for various career opportunities within this field.*
- Translation involves converting written content from one language to another while maintaining its meaning and context. The goal of translation is to make content accessible to speakers of different languages without altering its core meaning. It requires strong linguistic skills, cultural awareness, and an understanding of the subject matter. Translators must be adept at conveying ideas and messages in a way that is natural and culturally appropriate for the target audience. In addition to linguistic skills, translators today also need to have a good understanding of how to use computer-assisted translation tools (SDL Trados Studio, Memsource, Wordfast Pro, etc.) and translation engines (Microsoft Translator, Google Translate, DeepL, etc.). This will allow them to produce high-quality translations that are both accurate and consistent.
- Localization is the process of adapting content, products, or services to suit the cultural, linguistic, and regional preferences of a specific target audience. The purpose of localization is to create a seamless and engaging user experience that appears as if the content was originally produced for the target culture. It goes beyond translation and involves modifying the content to resonate with the cultural norms, idiomatic expressions, currency formats, measurement units, and other local conventions of the target market. This requires additional technical skills such as the ability to manipulate various file formats and code files (localization of software products, websites, mobile apps, etc.). Localization of graphical elements, user interfaces, and multimedia content may also require skills in graphic design and desktop publishing.
- Project management in the translation and localization process involves overseeing and coordinating all aspects of a project to ensure its successful and timely completion. It involves a wide range of tasks, such as defining the project scope, planning the project, managing the project, communicating with stakeholders, managing the budget, and ensuring quality. Project managers often utilize translation management systems (TMS) and other technology to streamline the process, improve consistency, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction.
BYU’s Translation and Localization minor is one of the only undergraduate programs of its kind in the United States, and we collaborate closely with language professionals and companies to continually refine our course offerings and help our students connect with jobs and internships.
*The global language services market size reached $69.2 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach an approximate value of $101 billion by 2028. The language services industry is the 4th fastest growing industry in the United States.
Minor Requirements (16 credits)
Requirement 1 - 1.0 credit
PLANG 270 - Introduction to the Language Industry
Requirement 2 - 3.0 credits
Complete 1 course:
FREN 414 - Introduction to French Translation
PLANG 414 - Introduction to Translation
PORT 360 - Introduction to Translation
SPAN 360 - Introduction to Translation
Requirement 3 - 3.0 credits
PLANG 380 - Computer-Assisted Translation
Requirement 4 - 3.0 credits
Complete 1 course:
PLANG 460 - Software Localization
PLANG 470 - Web Localization
Requirement 5 - 3.0 credits
Complete 1 course:
PLANG 460 - Software Localization
PLANG 470 - Web Localization
PLANG 480 - Advanced Computer-Assisted Translation
PLANG 540 - Professional Language: Project Management
Note: Courses cannot double count between Requirements 4 & 5.
Requirement 6 - 3.0 credits
PLANG 399R - Translation & Localization Internship
To declare the minor
Contact your primary major advisement center.
To transfer courses from another university:
1. Contact the BYU Transfer Evaluation Office to verify that your credits have transferred to BYU.
801-422-2631
B-150 ASB
2. Contact Dr. Yvon LeBras to discuss which transferred courses can count towards the minor.
801-422-2288
3121 JFSB
Substitutions
1. Contact Liberal Arts Advisement & Careers to find out if there is a pre-approved substitution.
801-422-3541
1041 JFSB
2. If there isn’t a pre-approved substitution, email Dr. Yvon LeBras to discuss your proposed substitution. You will most likely need to provide a syllabus for the course you are hoping to use as a substitution, and you will need to show how it matches the learning outcomes of the course that it would substitute.
The language industry is a growing and diverse field with opportunities in a variety of sectors. Here are some of the most in-demand job opportunities in translation, localization, and project management:
Translation
- Translator: Translators are the backbone of the language industry. They convert written content from one language to another, maintaining accuracy, linguistic nuance, and cultural context.
- Specialized Translator: Some translators focus on specific fields like legal, medical, technical, financial, or literary translation requiring in-depth knowledge of the subject matter.
- Interpreter: Interpreters are responsible for translating spoken language between two or more languages. They often work in real time, such as at conferences or during legal proceedings.
- Machine Translation Post-Editor: With the rise of machine translation, post-editors review and improve machine-generated translations to ensure accuracy and naturalness.
- Transcreation Specialist: Transcreation involves adapting marketing and creative content to preserve its intent, tone, and style for the target audience, going beyond literal translation.
- Multilingual Desktop Publisher: These professionals ensure that translated documents and content retain the original formatting, layout, and design.
Localization
- Localization Specialist/Engineer: Localization specialists manage the adaptation of products, software, and content to specific regions, taking into account cultural, technical, and linguistic aspects.
- Internationalization (i18n) Specialist: i18n experts work on making products and content easily adaptable to multiple languages and cultural conventions from the outset.
- Quality Assurance (QA) Tester: QA testers check localized products for linguistic accuracy, functionality, and cultural appropriateness to ensure they meet client requirements and expectations.
Audiovisual Localization Specialist: This role involves localizing audiovisual content like videos, animations, and multimedia presentations, including subtitling, voice-over, and dubbing.
Project Management
- Localization/Translation Project Manager: Project managers oversee translation and localization projects, from initial planning to final delivery, ensuring deadlines, budgets, and quality targets are met.
- Vendor Manager: Vendor managers handle relationships with translation agencies, freelancers, and other language service providers, negotiating contracts and ensuring timely delivery of services.
- Language Resource Manager: These professionals manage language resources such as translation memories, glossaries, and term bases, ensuring consistent terminology usage across projects.
- Client Services Manager: Client services managers act as the primary point of contact for clients, understanding their needs, providing solutions, and managing client expectations.
More Information
Check out the links below for more information on career paths in the language services industry and the latest news:
Association of Language Companies
American Translators Association
International Federation of Translators
Where Are They Now?
Terri Zoller Kersh, 2017 graduate
Marissa Hart, 2018 graduate
Over the past few years I worked my way from Intern to Project Coordinator, to Junior Project Manager and now to Project Manager. I'm so grateful I did the Translation and Localization minor, because it helped me learn about the different career paths within the localization field and the on-campus internship gave me some great experience to learn from and put on my resume. I was also able to apply for and receive funding to go to the GALA Localization Conference, which was a great opportunity to learn more about the field and meet people in the industry.
I really believe participating in this minor is the reason I ended up in a career that challenges me and helps me grow, and allows me to work with people all over the world. I would recommend it to anyone who loves language and translation, but doesn't know how to make a career out of it.
Camila Chester, 2020 graduate
I currently work for ICON plc, a pharmaceutical research company and am a Project Analyst in their Language Services department. The internship along with the classes required for the minor prepared me to know exactly what to expect and how to be successful in translation management.
I am beyond grateful for the T&L minor! It helped me turn my love and passion for languages into a valuable marketable skill that has given me career purpose and success. I can’t recommend it enough!"
Brent Summers
My current role is Senior Localization Project Manager. My responsibilities include handling daily production deliveries in the morning, launching new projects during and at the end of each day, client meetings, production updates, new project timelines, new client onboarding meetings, planning, and internal training with PM teams or translation teams.
BYU is a great environment to network with real, respected members of the localization industry. If you want to pursue higher education, BYU has a great relationship with top graduate universities that offer related programs. The localization industry is very big in Utah, much more so than it otherwise would be without the influence of the Church and the multilingual culture that missionary service brings. Regardless of where you work in the U.S., you will likely run into either another BYU alumni or someone that has worked directly or indirectly with BYU or the Church’s translation department.
My advice for students is that experience is key. There are a million LSPs that would love to have you work for them. You will likely have bad experiences working with some of them. This is because much of the industry was created in the 90s and early 2000s and has yet to properly update its processes and technology to run efficiently. This is frustrating but a very good learning experience. Critical thinking is key for any localization position. Keep an eye focused on how you can make your current process more efficient, whether by automation or by using better software solutions. Try new things until you find what you like. Some people hate being project managers. Others hate being involved in sales. Many don’t want customer-facing positions. Try everything you can until you find the position that’s just right for you. Then, become the best at what you do.
Kekoa Riggin
While I was at BYU, I spent a lot of time at the Humanities Advisement Center to maximize the professional value of my degree. One of the advisers, Sherami Jara, helped me connect with a few alumni in the localization industry so I could see if it was a good fit for me. There were a few other students that were interested in localization too and Sherami helped us create a club that would enable us to hold events, create a professional network, and possibly arrange internships related to localization for BYU students.
BYU has a strong network of alumni in localization. Becoming part of that network helped me find internships and part-time jobs during school, find mentorship as I moved on from BYU, and was how I found out about the posting for the job I currently have.
My advice for students is that you can learn to do anything. Find out what skills people are looking for in candidates for the jobs you want and learn those skills. You may not be able to learn everything on the job or in school, so seek out opportunities wherever you can. If you can get a paycheck or course credit while you're at it, all the better. And be confident in your decisions along the way. You're probably better at making decisions than you give yourself credit for, and you can always make adjustments as you grow.