Target Language
The language into which content is being translated.
Definition
The target language is the destination language for translation—the language your users will read. A single source language typically has multiple target languages. Target languages are prioritized based on market size, user demand, and business goals. Each target language may have multiple variants (es-ES, es-MX) with different translations.
Examples
- →Source: English (en) → Targets: Spanish (es), French (fr), German (de)
- →Regional variants: Spanish Spain (es-ES) vs Spanish Mexico (es-MX)
- →Priority tiers: Tier 1 (major markets), Tier 2 (growth markets), Tier 3 (emerging)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prioritize target languages?
Consider: 1) Current user base by language 2) Revenue/growth potential 3) Competitor coverage 4) Cost of translation 5) Support capability. Start with high-impact languages, expand gradually. Data-driven prioritization beats guessing.
Do I need country-specific variants (es-ES vs es-MX)?
Depends on content. UI strings: often one Spanish works. Marketing/legal: may need variants. User numbers/dates: locale-specific formatting. Start with base language, add variants when user feedback or data warrants.