Last week, I attended another event of the Catalan chapter of Women in Localization at the Vistaprint offices. The topic this time was UX Writing, a craft that is close to my heart together with my passions for localization and content strategy. During the discussion with the five wonderful panelists, I remembered how UX Writers and Localization Specialists in my team at eDreams ODIGEO used to work together as part of the Content team, within the Product area. Then I wondered Why are UX Writing and Localization not one team? From my experience, here is why they should be:

1. When UX Writers and Localization work together or in the same team, they can ensure they own the content delivery process end-to-end for international users.

2. UX Writers can learn from Localization how to create localization-ready copy, normally in English that is translated into other languages, either by an internal Localization team or by an external translation services provider or freelance translators. 

How? By avoiding the use of slang words, jargon or cultural references that do not apply in other countries. A common result is that there might be variations between copy for the UK or US interface and the international-friendly version sent for translation.

3. Localization gets additional context for translation, from screenshots or comments in strings, to user stories or briefings about the feature or product.

4. Both roles can provide internationalization input to product teams and avoid situations like, for example, the German copy not fitting into a button, to make sure that the user experience is smooth across markets.

5. UX Writers and Localization can help select tools like a Content Management System or a Translation Management System, or work with internal development teams in creating requirements for such content tools.

6. Localization (especially Language Specialists) and UX Writers can work together in UX research activities in more languages than just English in order to understand the pain points and needs of international users. 

7. UX Writers and Localization can help bring Content to the conversation with Product Owners, UX Designers, UX Researchers and Developers. Together we can stop “Lorem Ipsum” in wireframes and usher in a new perspective focused on the international user!

What do you think? Together or apart? I definitely think "Better together" :)

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Panelists, from left to right:

Teresa de Andrés - Content Design Lead, Mango

Maya Shendelman - UX Designer, Vistaprint

Helena Feliu (@HelenaFeliu) - Content Strategist & UX Writer, Duit Studio

Blanca Rego (@lauxcritora) - UX Writer & Translator

Pilar Perales @bipilaridad) - UX Writer, Trovit

If you want to learn more about UX Writing, I encourage you to follow @uxwritersesp on Twitter!