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ifm
System Manual
ecomat
mobile
PDM360NG (CR1080, CR1081, CR9042) Target V01
2011-07-28
Visualisations in the device
Recommendations for user interfaces
109
7.1.5
Cultural details are often not transferable
7461
Country, culture or language-specific details should be avoided in the source text because their use is
often not necessary and adaptation to the target culture is time-consuming. In most cases the author
does not know that his texts or graphics are characterised in terms of culture or language or lead to
localisation problems due to other design-related decisions. Problems can, for example, occur in the
following areas:
Colours
Symbols
Illustrations
Reading
direction
Colours
7464
The selection of the "right" colour is an important element for the text and product design. Many
colours are culture-specific and can lead to misunderstandings if used incorrectly and even to an
image loss of the product as a result of handling faults.
Examples:
Colour
Meaning in USA
Meaning in other cultures
Red
Drama, turmoil, blood (fight, revenge and
death), love, danger, nobility
China: fortune, cheerful
Russia: beautiful
Egypt: death
India: life, creative
Japan: anger, danger
Yellow
Caution, warning, sunlight, eternity, envy, hate
China: birth, health, force
Egypt: cheerful, property
India: success
Japan: nobility
Green
Nature, ecology, hope, immortal, fortune
China: eternity, family, harmony, health, peace,
posterity
Egypt: fertile, strength
India: property, fertile
Japan: future, youth, energy
Blue
Water, sky, loyalty, freedom, reliable, joy,
friendship, male
Asia: richness, strength
Egypt: virtue, faith, truth
White
Light, pure, wise, life, perfect, ideal, good,
matter of fact, clear, innocent, honest
Asia: death, grief, purity
Egypt: joy
Black
Death, grief, darkness, evil. Also: fraternity,
power and unity
(Grief not in Buddhism)
Egypt: resurrection
Grey
Wisdom and age
Asia: helpful