What are the best practices for wireframing user interfaces with different languages and scripts?

1 Text direction and alignment

One of the most obvious differences between languages and scripts is the direction and alignment of text. Some languages, such as English, French, and Spanish, are written from left to right (LTR), while others, such as Arabic, Hebrew, and Urdu, are written from right to left (RTL). Some languages, such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, can be written either horizontally or vertically. When wireframing UIs with different languages and scripts, you need to consider how the text direction and alignment will affect the layout, navigation, and readability of your UI. For example, you may need to flip or adjust the position of icons, buttons, menus, and images to match the text direction and alignment of your target language. You may also need to use different fonts, sizes, and spacing to ensure that the text is legible and consistent across your UI.

4 Text content and context

Another difference between languages and scripts is the content and context of text. Some languages, such as English, French, and Spanish, share similar vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, while others, such as Arabic, Chinese, and Hindi, have different vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. Some languages, such as English, German, and Russian, have clear and explicit rules for expressing meaning and intent, while others, such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, have more ambiguous and implicit rules for expressing meaning and intent. When wireframing UIs with different languages and scripts, you need to consider how the text content and context will affect the communication and interaction of your UI. For example, you may need to use different words, phrases, and tones to convey the same message or action in different languages and scripts. You may also need to use different symbols, icons, and images to represent the same concept or function in different languages and scripts.

5 Text accessibility and inclusion

The final difference between languages and scripts is the accessibility and inclusion of text. Some languages, such as English, French, and Spanish, are widely spoken and understood by many users around the world, while others, such as Arabic, Chinese, and Hindi, are spoken and understood by fewer users around the world. Some languages, such as English, German, and Russian, are easier to read and write for users with visual, cognitive, or learning disabilities, while others, such as Arabic, Chinese, and Hindi, are harder to read and write for users with visual, cognitive, or learning disabilities. When wireframing UIs with different languages and scripts, you need to consider how the text accessibility and inclusion will affect the usability and satisfaction of your UI. For example, you may need to provide options for users to change the language, font, size, color, and contrast of text to suit their preferences and needs. You may also need to provide alternatives for text, such as audio, video, or images, to enhance the comprehension and engagement of text.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?