Localization Testing: Tips and Tricks for RTL Language Websites and Apps

Creating seamless user experiences for RTL (right-to-left) language websites and apps can be challenging. But with the right localization testing strategies, you can ensure your digital products are intuitive and accessible to RTL users. Dive into our expert tips and tricks to master the nuances of RTL localization and deliver flawless, user-friendly interfaces.

Localization Testing: Guaranteeing Accuracy and Usability

Localization Testing is a software testing technique that helps to assess whether an application or a website is suitable for a specific region in terms of functionality and usability. Localization testing aims to test linguistic accuracy, typesetting errors, UI usability, and sociocultural dimensions for a specific locale with particular focus on ensuring that information is presented correctly and appropriately for languages that require special consideration.

Testing Right-to-Left (RTL) Languages

The fundamental difference between left-to-right (LTR) and right-to-left (RTL) language scripts is the direction in which content is displayed:

• LTR languages display content from left to right
• RTL languages display content from right to left.

In most languages, text is written from left to right. The right-to-left writing (and reading) direction is particular to Hebrew, Arabic, and some Asian languages. You can find a list of languages written right-to-left here.

QAs who are less familiar with right-to-left languages may find it challenging to provide relevant and high-quality testing for these specific situations. So, our experts have provided top tips and tricks to make it a bit easier.

When testing right-to-left (RTL) websites locally, it’s essential to approach it with a “think from the right” mindset. This can be a challenging task, especially if it’s your first time. Imagine it as a children’s spy game where you use a mirror to read a secret code.

RTL Languages: Challenges and Solutions

1. Typography

• A text should be aligned to the right and read from right to left. Pay attention to punctuation placement. The text should never start with punctuation.
• Capital letters are used far less frequently in RTL languages than in LTR languages.
• When dealing with RTL text that includes LTR words or numbers, such as international phone numbers or English company names, it’s important to maintain the left-to-right reading and writing flow. This means that even though the LTR content is included within an RTL context, the order of letters and numbers should not be reversed. It’s crucial to display this information consistently on both RTL and LTR websites. Consistency is key for a seamless user experience, ensuring that everyone can access and understand the content effortlessly. Here’s an example:

2. Numerals, symbols, and dates

• Numbers should be read from left to right in RTL languages. Pay close attention to the formats of dates, times, phone numbers, codes, and numerical quantities to ensure they are correct.

• There are two numeric systems: Western and Eastern Arabic numerals. Most Arabic-speaking countries typically use the traditional Western Arabic numerals. However, some countries, such as Iran and Afghanistan, use Eastern Arabic numerals more frequently. There are also countries that use both numeric systems. Because numeral usage may vary by region, it’s important to consider this when conducting localization testing.

• Symbols should be placed correctly: all signs such as “%,” labels for thousands and millions, currency symbols, etc. should be on the left side of the number.

• Dates should be displayed in the international date format. Although Arabic-speaking users may use their own calendar, the international format is familiar to almost every internet user.

3. Scrollbars

• Scrollbars should appear on the left side, both for the entire page and content within it, such as drop-down lists and long text fields.

4. Dropdown fields

• Please ensure that dropdown indicators are positioned on the left side of the fields. Take into account that if the list of values is long enough, the scroll bar will also be on the left. Below is an example comparing the left-to-right (LTR) and right-to-left (RTL) layout in English and Arabic, respectively:

5. Checkbox fields

• Field labels should be displayed on the left, followed by checkboxes on the right. Radio buttons should also be placed on the right of the field label.

6. Bulleted and numbered lists

• Bullets or numbers should precede the value (i.e., on the right) in the appropriate list.

7. Buttons

• Buttons should shift to the left when moved. For example, if there’s a button with an arrow that changes position when hovering over it, on right-to-left (RTL) pages, the arrow should point to the left instead of the right as it does on left-to-right (LTR) pages.

8. Form fields

• When typing into a field, the characters should appear from the right and successively appear from right to left.

9. Carousels

• Active carousel dots should correlate with LTR pages. After a page loads, the first active carousel card corresponds with the first left dot for LTR and the first right dot for RTL languages.

10. Icons

• When dealing with RTL pages, consider whether mirroring icons is necessary.
• Symmetrical icons and icons without an explicitly specified direction (user profile, search, social networks, etc.) shouldn’t be flipped:

• Icons with an explicit direction should be flipped (e.g. the back button should point to the right in the RTL version).

• Icons relating to text direction should be flipped (e.g., text alignment icons, progress charts, etc.).

Please be mindful of cultural differences and alternative meanings of symbols. Some icons commonly used in left-to-right (LTR) pages may cause issues in right-to-left (RTL) pages. For instance, in some countries, like Iran and Iraq, the thumbs-up gesture is considered highly offensive, similar to showing someone the middle finger in the West. Additionally, in several Middle Eastern countries, such as Kuwait, the OK sign is seen as insulting and associated with the evil eye. It’s important to be aware of what certain images and gestures may represent in different cultures.

11. Video and audio players

• Video and audio player icons and progress bars should not be mirrored because they correspond to the direction of a playback process.

Localization: Your Key to Global Success

Internalization and localization require special attention if you want to operate as a truly global business and effectively engage with your customers in different regions. Considering regional cultures and languages will demonstrate to your customers that you value their needs, comfort, and cultural differences rather than simply expanding your customer base.

Author: Maryna Varabyova