Translation vs Localisation

Why is it that when I see anime nerds discussing translations of anime/manga they use the term "localization" and not "translation"? Are they just trying to be fancy, or is there a valid reason? David @ Setouchi This came up recently in a conversation online and, following my rule of "if it's more than three tweets, make it a blog", I wanted to actually unpack it. From my understanding, there is a subtle but distinct difference; "translation" involves turning the words from one language to another but "localisation" involves rewriting the text for the local market. Some may argue this is the same thing but it isn't — they are distinct tasks. We can see this by comparing a localisation between two countries that speak the same language. An Example In my British English copy of Julia Donaldson's Room on the Broom, the witch is said to have long ginger hair that she wore in a plait but, in the American English version, she is described as having long ginger hair in a braid down her back.…