What Is Localisation in Video Editing

Video localisation, also called video localization, in editing is the process of adapting a finished video so it feels natural in another language or region.

It includes translation, but also adjusts timing, phrasing, on screen text, and audio delivery so the viewer experience matches the original. This often sits inside a broader AI assisted content workflow.

If you want the full end to end workflow, see How AI Video Localisation Works, Full Workflow

Localisation vs Translation in Video Editing

Translation changes the words from one language to another.

Localisation adapts how the message lands for the target audience. In video editing that often means adjusting:

Tone and phrasing for local expectations
Region specific terms and product language
Sentence length to match pacing and screen time
On screen text such as UI labels, titles, captions, and callouts
Cultural references that do not travel well

A simple way to think about it is this, translation makes it understandable, localisation makes it feel native.

What Usually Changes During Video Localisation

Video editing adds constraints that do not exist in text translation. The most common changes include:

Timing and pacing

Different languages take different time to say the same idea. Editors often need to tighten or expand lines to fit the same beats, pauses, and scene changes.

On screen text and graphics

Titles, lower thirds, diagrams, UI overlays, and end cards may need to be recreated or adjusted so they remain readable and consistent with the design.

Subtitles

Subtitles must be timed, readable, and broken into natural chunks. Good localisation avoids long lines, awkward breaks, and subtitle clutter.

Voiceover or dubbing

If you use dubbing, the performance matters. Even with AI voices, you still need to match emphasis, energy, and clarity for the intended audience. See AI video dubbing and lip sync for how this is produced and where it fails.

Lip sync for presenter led content

When a speaker is on screen, some workflows use lip sync to align mouth movement with the new audio. This improves realism but needs quality control and human review.

When Video Localisation Matters Most

Localisation is most valuable when the delivery and viewer experience affect outcomes, for example:

Training and eLearning content
Product onboarding and walkthroughs
Internal leadership messages
Marketing campaigns and brand storytelling
Customer support and how to videos

If the video is high trust or high stakes, localisation quality is more important than speed.

Common Localisation Approaches

Subtitles only

Fastest and lowest cost. Best when accessibility matters and the audience is comfortable reading while watching.

Voiceover or dubbing

More immersive. Best for training, onboarding, and presenter led content, where listening is easier than reading.

Dubbing with lip sync

Best when realism matters, especially for talking head videos, close ups, and brand led messaging. speed.

A Simple AI Assisted Workflow

AI is often used to speed up the steps that traditionally take the most time:

Transcribe the source audio
Translate meaning into the target language
Localise phrasing and terminology
Generate subtitles or synthesised voice
Apply timing and lip sync adjustments where needed
Render and export the final video

Quality improves when this is paired with human review, especially for names, numbers, compliance language, and brand tone.

Quality Checks Editors Should Not Skip

Before publishing a localised version, review for:

Transcript accuracy and missing words
Terminology consistency and brand phrases
Subtitle timing, readability, and line breaks
Pronunciation and emphasis in dubbing
Lip sync alignment on key scenes
On screen text, UI labels, and end cards
Accessibility requirements and caption files
Final export settings and audio levels tone.

If you are building this as a repeatable process, use the AI Content Workflow Glossary to keep terms consistent.

Summary

Video localisation in editing is how you adapt a finished video so it works naturally for a new language or region.

It goes beyond translation by handling pacing, subtitles, audio delivery, and on screen elements, so the experience matches the original.

Related explainer: