The map of Europe posted above is an excellent example of why localization is so important. Translators and companies who are looking for translations should not use this as a hard-and-fast, exact representation of where the dividing lines are drawn for the languages of Europe. Instead, take a moment to consider what it is really telling you about international communication: languages do not always respect political boundaries.
For example, a company who is looking to create a document for distribution in France should of course make sure it is translated into French, in line with all of the rules and guidelines from the Academie Française. However, they should also look into the different variations that French citizens in the southern and northern extremes of the country speak. Translating the document into the Franco-Provençal dialect includes that population and may make your company stand out in their field.
As a translator, you can demonstrate your knowledge of the world and of the world of dialects and variants by making suggestions such as this to a client and impressing them with your capacity as a consultant for language-related matters, elevating yourself in their eyes from someone who merely translates to someone who is able to evaluate their needs when it comes time to refine their global vision.
