Text Expansion
The increase in text length when translating from one language to another.
Definition
Text expansion refers to the phenomenon where translated text is longer than the original source text. This is a critical consideration in UI design because layouts must accommodate longer strings. English to German translations typically expand 30%, while English to Finnish can expand 40% or more. Conversely, some languages like Chinese may result in text contraction.
Examples
- →English 'Submit' (6 chars) → German 'Absenden' (8 chars) = 33% expansion
- →English 'Settings' (8 chars) → Spanish 'Configuracion' (13 chars) = 62% expansion
- →English 'OK' → German 'OK' = no expansion (borrowed word)
- →English 'Download' → Chinese '下载' = contraction
Frequently Asked Questions
How much text expansion should I plan for?
W3C recommends: 200% for strings <10 chars, 180% for 11-20 chars, 160% for 21-30 chars, 130% for 31-50 chars, 120% for 50+ chars. Use pseudo-localization to test with expanded strings before translation.
How do I handle text expansion in UI?
Strategies: 1) Use flexible layouts (flexbox, grid) 2) Set min-width not fixed-width 3) Allow text wrapping 4) Use ellipsis with tooltips 5) Test with pseudo-localization 6) Avoid cramped designs.