How Many Versions of Spanish Translation Is Enough?

Do US-based companies maintain multiple versions of English language promotional material, that is one for New York, another for Alabama, and a third for perhaps California? If they do we’ve never heard of it. It would unnecessarily add complexity to business communications management and be somewhat absurd to do so yes?

Is there unique language usage specific to different regions of the United States? Should promotional materials intended for the southern United States be sprinkled with “y’all’s” and other regional colloquialisms? How about inserting “valley girl speak” for materials intended for the west coast?

And yet we have clients sometimes requesting variations of Spanish specific to a locality for basic, plain language materials. Why is this? Is it a rational, informed approach to communications activities? Not as much as some might think.