The use of symbols from universal areas of life to represent abstract ideas with concrete examples and the substitution of some of the linguistic elements to be localised in software with symbols, are common practices in the context of software engineering and internationalisation. Though this approach is not always inappropriate, many symbols are not only culture-specific but also language-specific.
Particularly problematic when localising software is the use of allusions and wordplays (referring to concepts via homonyms) or the use of symbols integrated into program interfaces because their editing and adaptation process is complicated and time-consuming.
In the following graphics you will find examples of successful or unsuccessful internationalisation (c.f. Schmitz, 2005a:10)
Successful Internationalisation
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Typical American Trash Can... |
…in German software often referred to as "paper basket" |
Examples of Unsuccessful Internationalisation
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EN: table (spreadsheet) |
EN: paws = pause(in a game) |
English = clipboard |
