Short answer

Designers must proactively integrate right-to-left (RTL) text support and cultural sensitivity checks into the UI/UX design process from the outset of any localisation effort, rather than treating them as an afterthought.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: 3L The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies (2023)
Method: Multimodal corpus analysis
Evidence: Strong effect

Failure to adapt user interface elements for right-to-left text orientation in Arabic localisation leads to significant layout problems and a degraded user experience. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in 3L The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies. Using Multimodal corpus analysis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers must proactively integrate right-to-left (RTL) text support and cultural sensitivity checks into the UI/UX design process from the outset of any localisation effort, rather than treating them as an afterthought.

Study

User-Centred DesignRecentStrong effect

Arabic UI Layout Issues in 'The Witcher 3' Hinder User Experience

Failure to adapt user interface elements for right-to-left text orientation in Arabic localisation leads to significant layout problems and a degraded user experience.

3L The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies · 2023

Key Findings

01The game was linguistically well-localised.
02Cultural and technical aspects of the localisation were problematic.
03Visuals and themes violating Arabic cultural norms were retained.
04UI and menus did not accommodate Arabic right-to-left (RTL) orientation, causing layout issues.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing for international markets, conduct thorough research into the linguistic and cultural norms of target regions, and ensure UI frameworks are inherently flexible to accommodate different text directions and cultural sensitivities.

Project actions

01When localising a product, consider the visual layout of text and cultural appropriateness.
02Test your localised designs with native speakers from the target culture.

Method & Evidence

AimTo evaluate the quality of Arabic localisation in 'The Witcher 3', focusing on linguistic, technical, and cultural aspects, and to identify specific areas for improvement in video game localisation.

MethodMultimodal corpus analysis

ProcedureTwo corpora of screenshots and video recordings from the Arabic version of 'The Witcher 3' were collected. The data was analysed in two stages: first, categorizing content into UI and cinematics; second, performing linguistic, technical, and cultural analysis of the collected assets.

ContextVideo game localisation (Arabic)

Variables

IVLocalisation strategy (linguistic, technical, cultural adaptation)

DVQuality of localisation (user experience, layout issues, cultural appropriateness)

CVGame genre, specific game assets analysed (UI, cinematics, voice-overs)

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Detailed analysis of multiple localisation aspects (linguistic, technical, cultural).
+Use of multimodal corpora for evidence-based evaluation.

Limitations

This study focused on one game, so the findings might not apply to all video games or all forms of digital media.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity is supported by its detailed analysis of specific game assets. Reliability could be enhanced by having multiple analysts assess the corpora independently.

Think critically

To what extent do technical limitations in game engines or design software hinder effective localisation for languages with different directional writing systems?

Design Principles

"Interface design must be linguistically and culturally adaptable to ensure usability and user acceptance across diverse markets."

This research highlights a critical oversight in localisation that directly impacts usability and user satisfaction. Designers must consider the fundamental linguistic and directional requirements of target languages when designing interfaces, not just the translation of text.

What This Means for Your Design

When translating a game into Arabic, it's not enough to just translate the words. The game's menus and screens need to be designed to work with Arabic text that reads from right to left, and any images or topics that might be offensive in Arabic culture should be changed.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of user interface adaptation for different languages and cultures in your design project.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The localisation of digital products requires careful consideration of linguistic, technical, and cultural factors. As demonstrated by the analysis of 'The Witcher 3's' Arabic version, failing to adapt user interfaces for right-to-left text orientation can lead to significant usability issues, while overlooking cultural norms can result in user alienation. Therefore, a comprehensive approach to localisation, integrating adaptable UI design and cultural sensitivity from the early stages, is essential for a positive user experience.

Source

3L The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies

Beyond Translation: A Thorough Analysis of the Arabic Localisation of The Witcher 3

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about arabic ui layout issues in 'the witcher 3' hinder user experience?: Designers must proactively integrate right-to-left (RTL) text support and cultural sensitivity checks into the UI/UX design process from the outset of any localisation effort, rather than treating them as an afterthought. Evidence: 3L The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies (2023).
Why does "Arabic UI Layout Issues in 'The Witcher 3' Hinder User Experience" matter for design?: This research highlights a critical oversight in localisation that directly impacts usability and user satisfaction. Designers must consider the fundamental linguistic and directional requirements of target languages when designing interfaces, not just the translation of text.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers must proactively integrate right-to-left (RTL) text support and cultural sensitivity checks into the UI/UX design process from the outset of any localisation effort, rather than treating them as an afterthought.
What were the main findings?: The game was linguistically well-localised.. Cultural and technical aspects of the localisation were problematic.. Visuals and themes violating Arabic cultural norms were retained.. UI and menus did not accommodate Arabic right-to-left (RTL) orientation, causing layout issues.
What research method was used?: Multimodal corpus analysis.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from 3L The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing for international markets, conduct thorough research into the linguistic and cultural norms of target regions, and ensure UI frameworks are inherently flexible to accommodate different text directions and cultural sensitivities.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on a single game and specific localisation aspects, potentially limiting generalisability to all video game localisation scenarios.