Localizing for India presents a unique paradox: it is a single market composed of a complex canvas of languages, cultures, and varying literacy levels. Meeting the expectations of the ~1B Indic users requires moving far beyond direct translation. This session will offer a deep dive into Google’s strategic approach to true localization in one of the world’s most dynamic digital landscapes.

We will explore the key challenges that define the Indian context, from the legacy of “bookish” academic translations that fail to connect with users, to the lack of established tech terminology in many languages. The discussion will cover the critical need to build a robust localization ecosystem and address the immense linguistic diversity, including the often-overlooked “long-tail” languages.

This presentation will unpack Google’s approach to quality in localization. We will share real-world insights on localizing for Indian audience, and how setting standards and guidelines can help linguists. Attendees will gain insights into how Google balances scale and quality, developing a localization strategy that is empathetic, scalable, and essential for unlocking India’s full digital potential.