Understanding how language and culture impacts localization of software.

1. i18n: User Interface
Localization
kaylablock.com 2012

2. Internationalization and Localization:
Challenges and Solutions
• Localization challenges for a user interface
include:
 Number of characters
 Word length
 Number of words
 Text size
 Word height
 Scripts written right to left
 Scripts written top to bottom
 Cultural differences
 Colors
 Symbols

3. Language Characteristics
•Long Words
• German is known for long, compound words
• Writing a concept in German is only about 20% longer than English
• Today’s Arrivals
• Die heutige Ankunft
• Long German words can be hyphenated

4. Language Characteristics
•Tall Words
• Line height can vary between languages. In this Thai translation, note that the width is similar but the
line height is much higher

5. Localization Solutions: Iconization
•Use Universally Understood Icons When Possible
• Magnifying glass
• Calendar icon
• Gears (settings)
• X (close)
• Forward arrow
• House (representing home)

6. Localization Solutions: Iconization
• Some Concepts are Complex and There are No Universal Icons
• Non-universal icons must be
either:
• Intuitable
• Learnable

7. Icons and Labels
Ease of Use is optimized by using icons and labels
together.

8. Localized Action Buttons
• These icons would be likely to be understood
by someone in the hotel business, even if they
didn’t speak the language of the labels.

9. Summary
• Localization issues involve more than just long words
• Double byte character sets
• Right to left text
• Long words
• Tall Words
• Cultural relevancy in localization may require outside expertise