English → Arabic Localisation of Food & Beverage Specifications
English → Standard Arabic (Modern Standard Arabic) · Client: Confidential
Sample Source Content
Typical values per 100ml
| Energy | 143 kJ / 34 kcal |
| Fat | 1.7g |
| of which saturates | 0.3g |
| Carbohydrate | 1.2g |
| of which sugars | <0.5g |
| Fibre | <0.5g |
| Protein | 3.3g |
| Salt | 0.07g |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.21mg (15% NRV) |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.38µg (15% NRV) |
| Vitamin D | 0.75µg (15% NRV) |
| Calcium | 120mg (15% NRV) |
* % of the nutrient reference values.
** Reference intake of an average adult (8400kJ / 2000kcal)
A typical food and beverage industry assignment of 11,500 words received for translation into Standard Arabic (Modern Standard Arabic). The content comprised product specifications, nutritional information panels, allergen declarations, storage instructions and labelling content - the kind of text that is deceptively straightforward until you consider how much localisation is required beyond the linguistic translation itself.
Challenges & How We Addressed Them
Measurement System & Number Conventions
Food and beverage specifications use precise numeric values - energy (kJ/kcal), fat, carbohydrate, protein, salt, vitamins and minerals - each with its own unit. The target country's accepted measurement system, unit abbreviations and number formatting conventions had to be applied consistently throughout the nutritional panel, not just translated word for word.
Translation vs. Phonetic Transliteration
Not every English term translates cleanly into Arabic. For certain technical or brand-specific terms, a direct translation would be incomprehensible to the end consumer, while a phonetic transliteration would be more recognisable. The translator had to assess each term individually and decide whether to translate, transliterate, or use a combination - ensuring the result was both accurate and consumer-friendly.
Date Format Localisation
Best-before date formats vary between markets. The source used DD/MM/YY. The Arabic localisation required confirming the correct date format convention for the target market and applying it consistently across all relevant fields on the label.
Producing Modern Standard Arabic Across 22 Countries
Standard Arabic must be accessible and natural to consumers across 22 Arab countries - each with its own dialect and regional conventions. The translator followed a rigorous research methodology, cross-referencing high-authority sources including the Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA) for regulatory terminology, alongside publicly available knowledge bases, to ensure every technical term was both accurate and widely understood across the Arab world. The tone had to be neutral yet engaging, employing the most recognised conventions and widely used terminology.
Key Challenge
Bridging technical precision and cultural resonance is the core challenge in Arabic food and beverage localisation. Crafting Modern Standard Arabic that speaks authentically to a vast audience across 22 countries requires a delicate balance - the tone must be neutral yet engaging, employing the most recognised conventions and widely used terminology. Every technical term must be verifiable against regulatory sources (such as the SFDA) while remaining accessible to the everyday consumer.
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