SIGIA-L Mail Archives: RE: SIGIA-L: language selection: flags o
RE: SIGIA-L: language selection: flags or text
From: Eric Reiss (elr_at_e-reiss.com)
Date: Wed Jun 20 2001 - 16:15:47 EDT
Hi all,
I replied off-list regarding a similar subject some weeks ago, but
since it's come up again, I thought I'd add my two.
In my neck of the woods, this subject comes up often and there really
isn't any clear-cut answer. Flags are good in that they provide an
iconography that catches the eye. The downside is that many countries
speak the same language (many countries speak English and Spanish,
several speak Portuguese and French, etc.). On the other hand, a
number of countries speak more than one language (Canada, Belgium,
and Switzerland for example). Finally, there may actually be
confusion as to what the flag represents (take a look at Poland and
Indonesia if you're in doubt).
Moreover, language changes from country to country. English, for
example, in the U.S. and Canada are DIFFERENT from each other and
also different from the U.K. New Zealand and Australia present their
own set of unique language differences, as does South Africa.
In short, flags are problematical in most cases so NAMES are often
the better choice (if you state ENGLISH, the reader takes what they
receive without thought to any particular nationality, regardless of
spelling). However, DO spell things out. LT for Lithuania will
confuse people as much as CH, ES, and SF (Switzerland, Spain, and
Finland).
My advice? Spell the name of the language out in full and create a
common, colorful/colourful) graphic to call attention to this
navigational choice.
Best regards,
Eric Reiss
Principal
e-reiss aps
copenhagen, denmark
www.e-reiss.com
(+45) 20 12 88 44
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