Could someone explain what exactly localization means and what's the translator role in it?

Many thanks

Localization (AKA L10N) is translation process which included local culture and language into the translation. There are a few issues with L10N, such as date format, address format, currency format, Double Byte Characters, etc. If you want to distinguish between general translationa and L10N, the L10N process included technical and clutural issues witht he translation.

Austermülhl, Frank in his book "Electronic Tools for Translators" explains localization as The process of adapting a product to the specific situation of its target market. This includes not only translating the texts and (graphics) accompanying the product, but also adapting it to the cultural norms of the local market.

It is, for example, what Microsoft does with its software which is adapted to the different cultures where it is sold.... I just heard it was localized to the language and culture of an Indigenous population in a Latin American country...

Localization is very important. As a translator from English to Arabic, I aways find much need to make localization for the texts written originaly in English.I will give one example in relation to the titles that precede names of people.In the arabs's countries you should observe the people's title if they are persons of known titles.The person who write in English may refer to any person as Mr. or Sir.but this is not applicable in Arabic.I mean that even reference to people who are not holders of official titles should be observed carefully.The peraon's title may differs according to the person's age or social status.People may find excuse for non-arabic speakers when they make written mistakes in that respect,but the same  is not acceptable in Arabic written translation !

It is interesting to mention here , the special difficulty in relation to the words , notions & concepts which had been originated in different cultures , and have no equivalent in Arabic or have what I call misleading equivalent.In such type of translation you would be obliged to give some marginal notes to clarify them.This applies in particular to words originated in different religion or to the poems texts which might have double entendre or pun or  innuendo or insinuation.

I am a Localisation engineer and the Localisation process is simply adapting a product that was designed and therefore written in a language (lets say English since most new products are designed in the USA nowadays) into any other lang and culture. This could be a website, a user Manual for a washing machine or a software that makes the tills work at the local supermarket. Anything that needs to be used by a target user in their native langauge.

Hope it helps,,