Localization; Best Practice: Designing Applications For Different Languages And Regions - Blackberry PlayBook Ui Manuallines

UI Guidelines

Localization

Localization is the process of adapting software to meet the requirements of local markets and different languages.
Internationalization is the process of designing an application so that it can be adapted to various languages and regions
without engineering changes. Localized applications should reflect correct cultural and linguistic conventions that the
target market uses. Localization and internationalization make it possible for you to create a localized version of your
software.
BlackBerry PlayBook tablets are sold all over the world and BlackBerry applications are translated into many languages,
including languages that are not based on a Latin alphabet. Early in the design process, consider whether your application
might require localization. If your application does not require localization now, consider designing your application so that
it would be easy to localize it in the future. Be aware that even if your application might not be localized, some users might
want to type text in other languages in your application.
Best practice: Designing applications for
different languages and regions
Guidelines for layout
• Leave enough space in your UI for translated text. The height and the width of text might expand when translated from
English to other languages. For labels and other short text strings, prepare for up to 200% expansion. For lengthy text
(more than 70 characters), prepare for up to 40% expansion. Where possible, place labels above the associated field.
Leave blank space at the end of each label.
Localization
33