Twitter in Arabic and Right-to-Left Languages
Twitter finally is stepping into the right-to-left languages including the Arabic Language, Farsi, Urdu and Hebrew. The Twitter Translation Center is now open for volunteer translators to localize the twitter user interface into the right-to-left languages.
Twitter announced on their blog Twitter Translation Center adds Right-to-Left Languages using crowd-sourced translators to localize Twitter for people who speak those languages in the Middle East and Asia. Twitter is currently available in 22 languages with the help of more than 425,000 volunteers contribute to the Translation Center.
User Interface Localization
The new fully localized user interface will help Twitter to increase their accounts and activities in the Middle East region.
Twitter was an effective tool during the Arab Spring and it has gained a lot of popularity in a region with almost 280 million internet users who speak the Arabic language. The native Arabic language interface should guarantee more use and success for Twitter.
Right-to-Left Hashtags
Although Twitter is working for the right-to-left languages, it is not fully functional because the hashtags are still not supported when you use them with right-to-left languages.
This issue is one of the most annoying problems to Twitter users in the Middle East. The users used to write their tweets in Arabic but yet they had to use English hashtags combined with their text in order to tweet about the same topic.
I believe that Twitter will execute the right-to-left hashtag support in their new editions which will help the native speakers for those locales to use Twitter more natively and effectively.
For more information please check the following resources:
- Twitter Translation Center adds Right-to-Left Languages
- Twitter Will Become Available in Right-to-Left Languages This Spring
- Twitter Now Available in Five New Languages
Arabic Translation Services
GPI provide Arabic translation and localization services by Arabic native translators, proofreaders and copywriters who have solid experience with Middle East market requirements and cultures.
Check our Arabic Translation quick facts and resources for more information:
- The Arabic Language
- Arabic Document Translation
- Arabic Translation Services
- Arabic Website Translation
Further resources on social media localization and global search engine marketing:
GPI works with traditional SEO/Social Media Firms, Interactive Agencies and in-house marketing teams who handle the English (USA) SEM work by becoming an extension of their team to help them with all things language and country related.
