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
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