Sun Software Product Internationalization Taxonomy

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4.1.3 Non-Textual Objects

Description

This section provides guidelines for internationalizing non-textual objects. It contains the following subsections:

• 4.1.3.1 Icons, Images and Colors - Non-textual elements, such as icons, need to be optimized for generic, universal use. This section also describes cultural considerations for using images and choosing color schemes.



• 4.1.3.2 Graphical User Interface (GUI) Objects - This section describes cultural considerations for laying out GUIs.



• 4.1.3.3 Sounds - This section describes cultural considerations for using sounds.



• 4.1.3.4 Other Non-textual Objects - This section describes other non-textual aspects of internationalization, such as video, accessibility issues, and naming conventions.

Recommendations for Compliance

Providers should isolate locale-specific data. Resource bundles should store anything that can vary across localized versions. This includes locale-specific text, fonts, mnemonics, color schemes, icons, graphics, and sounds. It is best to keep non-textual elements in separate resource files or separate sections from textual elements.

Perform usability tests with users from the target locales. This identifies graphics that are offensive or difficult to understand and can also help to verify the accuracy of the translated text. Usability studies can achieve great results. If users in one locale have trouble understanding something in the product, often users in another locale have similar difficulties. The scheduling of these usability tests should accompany rather than follow the product development cycle so that there is time for enhancements before the product ships.

Engage an interface designer who is trained in international user interfaces to evaluate the graphical elements and layout of the interface.

4.1.3 Non-Textual Objects