

Many numbers are displayed using Latin script (i.e., 0123456789). Allow the non-RTL script to be displayed LTR, but still lay it out inline with the RTL script, with right-alignment, if applicable.Depending on it’s importance, it may be acceptable to keep such controls on the right-side of the screen. Commonly accessed controls, such as + buttons, are often placed in the bottom-right of the screen for easy access for right-handed users. Right-handed controls should remain on the right.However, in most cases, the elements themselves should not be mirrored.

Items should be horizontally mirrored as if you had taken a layout and placed a physical mirror to the side of it. Mirror layout, but not necessarily the elements in the layout.
#Glyphs mini guide how to#
Follow the below guidelines when trying to figure out how to mirror text or layout: For example, a news article in Arabic may mention “Facebook”, which should always be displayed in LTR i.e., not as “koobecaF”. While this is mostly true, modern text inevitably contains a mixture of scripts. (The exception is playback controls and progress bars).Ī common mistake is thinking that in RTL languages, all text should flow from right-to-left. Passage of time flows from right to left.Represented objects that are not mirrored in real life, should not be mirrored. If a glyph shows motion or directionality of text, it should be mirrored. Icons and glyphs are selectively mirrored.If you swipe from the left-edge of the screen in LTR, you’ll need to swipe from the right-edge of the screen in RTL. Glyphs in text fields are placed on the other side of the text field. Controls that are usually left-aligned should now be right-aligned. Control layout and gestures are mirrored.LTR script mixed into RTL script is still shown LTR (such as numbers). Sentences in the RTL script read from right-to-left.For example, on the iOS lockscreen, the signal-strength indicator is mirrored for RTL, and control placement is mirrored as well. Usually, apps displayed in RTL display all their content from right-to-left.

As a result, our job is to make sure that when we do support RTL, it is supported properly. Thankfully, whatever system we’re developing for generally will set users’ UIs to LTR or RTL automatically based on locale.

The Hebrew alphabet is used for Hebrew and Yiddish, whereas Perso-Arabic script is used in Arabic,Persian, Urdu, Pashto, and even parts of China. Here are common, current scripts that are RTL: The prior is written RTL and the latter is written LTR. Azeri may be written using Arabic or Latin scripts. Depending on context, you may see “Nintendo” written either way walking around southern Japan.įor your apps, what languages do we have to worry about? Well, it’s more about the script than the language. In LTR, the first character starts on the left. In RTL, the first character in the three-character name starts on the right. “Nintendo” written in Japanese kanji, in LTR and in RTL. Often, in Chinese-speaking countries, you’ll find building and monument names that flow from RTL, but not top-to-bottom. However, on the web, most Chinese is written LTR. For example, Chinese in textbooks tends to be written RTL, with characters also flowing top-to-bottom.
#Glyphs mini guide software#
Some languages are traditionally RTL, but have adopted LTR in software applications and short-form documents. The majority of major world languages are either flow from left-to-right (LTR), such as English, or from right-to-left (RTL), such as Hebrew. Our apps should be bi-directional - providing great user experiences to everyone, agnostic of RTL or LTR. What’s the point of pouring so much effort into designing a UI, when for many people, it will be totally backwards? What’s the point of using an app if the developers don’t care enough about you to support your language? Not supporting RTL can totally break a user experience: controls are out of place, text becomes illegible, and gestures seem to go in reverse. Sadly, many apps out don’t have proper right-to-left (RTL) support, and if they do, it’s placed as a very low on the development priority list. While this screenshot of YouTube may look backwards to LTR users, YouTube mostly supports RTL properly.
