Expand globally by engaging locally – with content that resonates emotionally, culturally, and linguistically with your French(speaking) users.
Raised in Belgium just a stone’s throw from three borders—immersed in French, Dutch, and German—I grew up with languages. After studying English translation at university and living in San Francisco and Santa Barbara from 2012 to late 2016, I’ve become the ultimate (Belgian) Swiss Army knife for French localization projects. I’m your go-to polyglot, proudly both francophone and francophile to the core. 🇧🇪🇫🇷
Adapting digital content for French-speaking audiences
requires more than translation – it’s about capturing culture, context, and emotion. Let’s collaborate to make your product parfaitement French! 🇫🇷
Oui, yes !Bonjour! Ready to Go Global in French?
You’ve built a great digital product – now you want French-speaking users in Canada, Europe and Africa to love it as much as your current audience. Simply translating text won’t capture the spark of your brand in French. That’s where I come in. I’m Cédric, a French localization specialist based in Belgium with over 20 years of experience making apps and websites feel like they were created in French from the start.
- Cultural Adaptation: I go beyond word-for-word translation. Your content will be adapted to French cultural norms, idioms, and preferences, ensuring it feels right to native speakers.
- Human & Engaging Tone: A localized French interface should sound human and inviting. I preserve your brand’s voice and emotional appeal so French users get the same experience and trust in your product.
- Professional Quality: With a background in linguistics and years as a consultant, I deliver polished, high-credibility French content. No awkward phrasing or “Google Translate” vibes – just natural, user-friendly French.
Why trust your French localization to me? I’ve been the bridge between English and French for countless digital projects. I know the nuances that delight French users – and the pitfalls to avoid. My goal is to make your users say “Ça me parle vachement !” (“This speaks to me!”) when they use your localized product.
📩 Need a French Localization Expert?
🌍 French Localization Services for Websites, SaaS, and Apps
When you’re expanding into French markets (France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxemburg, African countries, Québec), every detail matters. I provide end-to-end localization services for various digital products:
- Websites & Web Apps: From marketing sites to complex web applications, I localize UI text, menus, error messages, forms, and content pages into fluent French. I ensure layout and design remain user-friendly (French text can be longer!) and all elements (dates, currencies, etc.) meet French conventions.
- SaaS Platforms: SaaS products often have continually evolving content. I work with your team to localize dashboards, onboarding flows, tooltips, emails, and support portals. The result: a French user experience that feels tailor-made, boosting adoption and satisfaction.
- Mobile Apps (iOS & Android): I translate and adapt mobile UI strings, notifications, and in-app copy. Whether it’s an e-commerce app or a productivity tool, I make sure the French version is intuitive and clear. I can also help localize your App Store/Google Play descriptions and screenshots, increasing your app’s appeal to French users.
- Software UI & Documentation: If you have desktop software or open-source applications, I handle French translation of menus, dialogs, and help files/FAQs. Technical jargon will be accurately rendered in French, thanks to my background in IT and software localization.
- Themes & CMS Internationalization: Using a translatable theme or CMS? I’ve worked on WordPress, Drupal and Ghost themes (including the popular Firma theme) to internationalize them. I’ll prepare or refine French language files (
.po/.jsonetc.), so your theme or CMS-based site can easily switch to French without hiccups.
My focus is ensuring
consistency, accuracy, and a smooth user experience throughout your French version.
Let's talk!Proven Track Record
You’re not just getting a translator – you’re gaining an experienced localization partner. Some highlights of my work:
- App Localization: I’ve localized mobile and desktop apps for international companies. For example, I helped adapt the (once) popular media app doubleTwist (USA) into French back in 2010, making sure a music player app felt at home for French users. I’ve also worked with the innovative knowledge-base app Anytype.io (originating in Switzerland) on their multilingual UI, including French.
- Open-Source Projects: Being passionate about open-source, I’ve contributed French translations to multiple projects on GitHub. From content management systems to developer tools, I’ve helped software communities expand their reach to Francophone users. This means I’m comfortable using Git and collaborating with developers in agile environments.
- CMS Themes Internationalization: I was entrusted with translating and internationalizing premium CMS themes, like the Ghost Firma theme by Eduardo Gómez. I created French language files and ensured the theme’s elements all rendered correctly in French. I’ve done similar work for WordPress themes and plugins – enabling products built in English to have a ready-to-use French option.
- Corporate “Big Tech” Experience: I undertook a two-year assignment as a Linguist and French Language Specialist for a leading tech company in Cupertino (2014–2015). Embedded on-site with their team, I worked on a high-profile digital media project, localizing content (especially music-related content) for French users worldwide. This experience refined my skills in maintaining strict quality standards and working within complex content systems.
Over the years, I’ve collaborated remotely with teams across Europe and the US, so I’m adept at fitting into your workflow – be it Slack meetings with your designers or sprint reviews with developers. Communication, reliability, and hitting deadlines are values I live by. My clients often appreciate that I bring a human touch – friendly, flexible, yet meticulous about getting the details right.
Ready to Localize Your Product into French? 🎯
With the right localization partner, it’s a smooth journey that opens you up to millions of new users. Imagine your website or app, fully in French, delighting users in Paris, Montreal, Brussels, or Abidjan with its clarity and charm. I’m here to make that happen.
➡️ Request a Quote or Send Your Brief✅ Why Work with a French Localization Expert?
Localization is more than translation – it’s an expert craft. Here’s what you gain by working with a specialist:
- Authenticity: I ensure your product’s French version doesn’t read like a translation; it reads like it was originally crafted in French. I adjust idioms, humor, and tone for a genuine feel, avoiding literal translations that fall flat.
- Brand Voice Preservation: Your brand has a personality. I take time to understand your style guides and voice. Whether your tone is casual and fun or formal and professional, I replicate it in French so your brand identity stays intact across languages.
- Cultural Sensitivity: What works in one country might not work in France or Quebec. I catch cultural references, symbols, or examples that need tweaking for French audiences. This prevents miscommunication or offense and increases user comfort.
- Conversion & Engagement Focus: The goal of localization is to engage users and drive results (sign-ups, purchases, etc.). I apply copywriting insight to translated text, so calls-to-action and key messages remain persuasive in French. Users will understand and act, not just read.
- SEO & ASO Awareness: If your content is web-based, I incorporate French SEO best practices during localization, researching French keywords when needed. For mobile apps, I consider App Store Optimization (ASO) in French. This means your localized content can rank well on Google.fr or in the French app stores, attracting organic traffic.
- Technical Proficiency: I’m comfortable with the technical side of localization. Need someone who can handle
.JSON,.POfiles, or multilingual CMS plugins? I’ve got you covered. I ensure no broken placeholders or truncated strings – everything fits and works in French as it should.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What’s the difference between translation and localization?
Translation is just converting text from one language to another. Localization goes further – it adapts the meaning, tone, and context for the target culture. For example, a direct translation might be technically correct but sound unnatural or fail to evoke the desired emotion. Localization ensures your message feels authentic to French users by considering cultural references, humor, idioms, units of measure, date formats, and even color or design preferences. It’s about making your content truly local.
Why do I need a French localization expert instead of using translation software or a general translator?
AI and automated tools and general translators can miss the mark on quality and nuance. A French localization expert brings specialized knowledge – not just of the French language, but of regional differences (France vs. Canada, for instance), user expectations, and the technical side of implementing translations. I ensure your content isn’t just literally translated, but is effective and engaging. This means fewer miscommunications, a more professional image, and ultimately happier users. Plus, I can collaborate with your development and design teams to catch issues (like text expansion or hard-coded strings) that others might overlook.
What kinds of projects have you worked on?
I’ve worked on a wide range of projects:
- Mobile & Web Apps: e.g., media players, productivity tools, open-source software – translating interfaces and user prompts into French.
- Websites & E-commerce: corporate sites, product landing pages, online stores – localizing all on-page content and metadata for French SEO.
- Software Documentation: user guides, FAQs, and support articles – translating them so French-speaking customers can understand how to use the product.
- Themes and Plugins: helping developers make their WordPress/Ghost themes or plugins translation-ready and providing the French language pack.
- Marketing Campaigns: adapting ad copy, email newsletters, and social media content for French launches.
Each project added to my expertise. So whether your project is a small mobile app or a large enterprise platform, I have the experience to handle it.
How do you ensure the French content will maintain our brand’s tone and SEO performance?
Before I translate a single word, I learn about your brand voice – whether it’s playful, professional, edgy, or formal. I then mirror that tone in French. I often create or reference a style guide and glossary to keep terminology consistent (for example, deciding vous vs. tu for “you”, based on your brand persona). As for SEO, I research French keywords equivalent to your English ones and integrate them naturally into the content. I also localize meta titles, descriptions, and image alt tags for the French version of your site. The result: your French pages remain optimized for search, so you won’t lose organic traffic due to localization. In fact, you’ll likely gain new visitors through French search queries.
What is the typical timeline for a localization project and what do you need from us to get started?
The timeline can vary depending on the size and complexity of your project. As a rough guide:
- A simple website (~5-10 pages) or a small app interface might take a few days to a week.
- Larger SaaS platforms or e-commerce sites could span several weeks, especially if iterative testing is involved.
- Continuous localization (ongoing updates) is usually done in batches or sprints aligned with your release cycle.
To get started, I’ll need:
- Source materials: the texts to translate (ideally in a structured format like a text export, CSV, JSON, or via a localization platform).
- Context: access to the app or site (staging environment or screenshots) to see how text is used.
- Guidance: any existing style guide, glossary, or specific instructions (e.g., “keep this slogan in English” or “use informal tone for our app”).
- Contacts: a point person (or team) I can reach out to with questions or for reviews.
Once I have these, I can accurately estimate the turnaround time. I always strive to accommodate your schedule – if you have a target launch date, let’s discuss and I’ll do my utmost to meet it. Rest assured, I never compromise quality for speed. If a deadline is very tight, I’ll communicate what’s feasible so we can prioritize the most critical content first.
What's the difference between French translation and localization, and which do I need?
Translation is about converting text, while localization adapts your entire product (website, app, etc.) for the French market. For most digital products, localization is crucial for success. I provide copywriting services that are deeply rooted in localization principles.
Do we need full or partial localization?
This depends on your budget and market goals. I can advise you on the most effective localization strategy, whether it's a full adaptation or focusing on key areas.
What cultural specificities need to be considered?
French culture has unique linguistic and social nuances. I ensure your copy respects these nuances, avoiding cultural missteps and maximizing impact.
Are there legal considerations to take into account?
Yes, especially in the EU. I understand the importance of GDPR and other legal requirements. I can help you ensure your copy is compliant and trustworthy.
How do I localize my website into French effectively?
Effective website localization goes beyond simple translation. It involves adapting content, layout, and SEO for the French market. I focus on creating culturally relevant copy that resonates with your French audience, ensuring a natural and engaging user experience.