Multilingual website character stickers – Differences in interpreting emotional expressions across cultures
- The reason why a single image cannot function like a translation.
- Why is it that the same character (🙏) is constantly interpreted with different meanings?
- What should be the focus of multilingual pages?
- Cultural differences exist not only in meaning but also in the way things are presented.
- The question is, how much can be changed, and where should the changes stop?
- Organizing the location of stickers reviewed using DecoBlocks.
- Frequently Asked Questions.
- WordPress-related plugins
Below the Japanese-language thank-you message, a character with hands clasped is displayed. Japanese readers interpreted this as an expression of gratitude, while visitors from other language regions interpreted it as either a prayer or a high-five.
Choosing character stickers on a multilingual website is different from the task of translating text. This is because even the same image can evoke different emotions depending on the culture, the wording, and the way it appears on the screen.
The reason why a single image cannot function like a translation.
The Unicode Consortium explains that emojis do not have a single, fixed meaning. Their meaning varies depending on the language, culture, and context of the conversation, and they can also be reinterpreted over time.
Emojis are not a form of human language. They are more like auxiliary tools that add expressions, gestures, and nuances to spoken words.
Character stickers can be created more freely than text-based emojis. However, because facial expressions, clothing, hand gestures, colors, and accessories are more clearly visible, choosing the wrong one can lead to even greater misunderstandings.
Why is it that the same character (🙏) is constantly interpreted with different meanings?
Think of the gesture of hands joined together 🙏. In Western cultures, it can be associated with prayer; in Japan, it can express gratitude or a request; and in other cultures, it can be a form of greeting or respect.
In a 2024 study on the use of Japanese emojis, it was explained that this symbol can be interpreted as gratitude, a request, a prayer, or a high-five, depending on the context. This is why it is difficult to determine the intended meaning based solely on the hand gesture.
This issue is more common than one might think. In 2022, Adobe surveyed 5,000 emoji users in the United States, and 92% of them responded that emojis help to facilitate communication across language barriers.
However, 50% of respondents stated that they use emojis in a way that differs from their intended meaning. The emojis that American users most often misunderstand are 🤠, 🍒, and 🙃.
Just because an image appears intuitive does not mean that its interpretation is necessarily consistent.
What should be the focus of multilingual pages?
The conclusion is clear: we cannot assume that the same sticker will be interpreted with the same emotions in all cultures.
In the multilingual pages of WordPress, the main content should be written in the local language, and stickers should only be used as supplementary expressions that have been verified for each cultural region.
The 2024 research indicates that in Japanese messages, emojis are often used as images that complement sentences. In English messages, they tend to be used as paralinguistic symbols that replace words.
Therefore, the method of attaching a sticker below a Japanese thank-you sentence may not be the same as the method where a sticker replaces a word within an English sentence.
Cultural differences exist not only in meaning but also in the way things are presented.
The 2019 International Web and Social Media Academic Conference paper compared the use of emojis in China, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. While there were common usage patterns, cultural differences were observed in the ways in which emojis were associated with topics such as death, money, emotions, and family, as well as in their frequency of use.
The way emojis are attached to sentences can also be influenced by language. Research on Japanese conversations has shown that the arrangement and usage of emojis can be affected by grammar and the context of the message.
There is also the issue of the display itself changing. When the platform changes, such as from Windows, Mac, or Android, the appearance of the same text-based emoji can vary.
As a result, an emoji that appears happy on one device may appear sad on another. WordPress operators must verify the actual display on desktops, mobile devices, and major browsers.
The question is, how much can be changed, and where should the changes stop?
Creating completely different characters for every region increases production and management costs. Conversely, using the same image for all regions can lead to misunderstandings and a decline in brand trust.
In situations where information delivery or behavioral guidance is crucial, text should always precede visual elements. In payment processes, membership registration, error messages, legal notices, and refund screens, do not rely solely on characters to convey meaning.
- We write the instructions in the local language.
- The buttons are clearly labeled with the actions they perform.
- The stickers are used only to add emotion and atmosphere.
In situations where a sense of familiarity is important, such as welcome messages, congratulations, expressions of gratitude, or community introductions, it is possible to maintain a consistent character. However, versions that include gestures, religious symbols, regional foods, or national symbols should be tested separately for each language region.
When managing translations directly, the most common issue occurs when translated text strings and images are not synchronized. For example, a sentence might be localized, but the corresponding image file remains unchanged, or an image might not display, and the alternative text that explains its meaning might be missing.
It is difficult to cover all cases by simply checking the screen a few times. It is necessary to manage sticker files and alternative text on a regional basis, and to design them in a way that meaning is preserved even for screen reader users and in environments where images are not visible.
Stickers with ambiguous meanings or those that could easily be misinterpreted should generally be avoided in public areas. If stickers are used, they should be placed sparingly in contexts where the meaning is clear, such as for expressions of gratitude or congratulations, to maintain a sense of friendliness while minimizing potential risks.
After completing the preliminary tests for each cultural region, when applying the stickers to actual WordPress posts, it is necessary to separate and arrange the confirmed stickers and their descriptions. The DecoBlocks “Insert Character Sticker” function inserts character stickers from the installed sticker pack into the post.
If you group the stickers and related instructions within a Section Box (Solid), you can distinguish on the screen which decorations are connected to which content. However, this feature does not replace the need for assessing cultural meanings or creating alternative text, so those tasks should be performed separately.
If the website’s primary function is information delivery and conversion, prioritize the text in the local language. If brand affinity is crucial, apply stickers that have undergone pre-tests for each cultural region, creating language-specific versions.
Organizing the location of stickers reviewed using DecoBlocks.
In articles that explain cultural differences, as in this one, it is important to arrange stickers so that they do not replace the message. DecoBlocks’ “Insert Character Sticker” allows you to insert character stickers from the installed sticker pack into the text, and “Section Box (Solid)” groups related content within a box. You can create an editing flow where explanations written in the local language are placed first, and the reviewed character stickers are arranged around them as supplementary elements.
When a document becomes lengthy, the Auto Table of Contents feature generates a table of contents based on H2 and H3 headings after the post is published. This feature displays the navigation path of a document with headings such as “Cultural Guidelines,” “Common Principles,” and “Application Examples.” It does not determine the meaning of stickers or manage files by language. The operator must continue to verify the meaning and provide alternative text.
For character stickers designed for different cultural regions, the priority is not simply adding images, but rather determining which sentences the stickers will accompany and where they will be used as supplementary expressions. To clearly define the decorative role of the sticker, it is essential to focus on the local language text and verify the display and alternative text for each device.
When organizing the placement of stickers and the sections of a post in WordPress, you can use DecoBlocks’ “Insert Character Sticker” and “Section Box (Solid)” features. However, please note that organizing the display does not replace the need for cultural sensitivity review, so verification by language region should be included in the operational process.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Q. Can the same character be used continuously on a multilingual website?
A. The common characters themselves can be used. However, do not rely on the characters to convey meaning; instead, provide clear instructions in the local language. Versions with gestures and symbols should be verified for each region.
Q. How can 🙏 be explained in terms of its meaning?
A. It is difficult to fix a single meaning. Because it can vary depending on the context and culture, such as gratitude, request, prayer, or a high-five, the intention should be clearly stated in writing in important announcements.
Q. When managing stickers directly in WordPress, where should you check?
A. Manage image files and alternative text together for each language. Also, verify how they appear on desktops, mobile devices, and major browsers.
Q. Can this problem be easily solved using a tool? What kind of tool should be used?
A. It is not possible to automatically determine the cultural significance of content using tools alone. A practical approach involves using multilingual management functions, image file management functions, and alternative text input functions, along with conducting reviews on a per-language basis.
Q. In what situations is it absolutely necessary to remove the sticker?
A. It is generally advisable not to use stickers as the primary means of communication in areas where misunderstandings can lead to significant costs, such as payment processing, refunds, legal notices, and error messages. It is safer to use them sparingly in contexts where the meaning is clear, such as expressions of gratitude or congratulations.
Q. At what location within the post should the character stickers be placed?
A. It is appropriate to first provide essential information in the local language, and to use stickers as supplementary expressions in areas where the context is clear, such as expressing gratitude or congratulations.
You can insert characters using DecoBlocks’ Insert Character Sticker and group related content using the Section Box (Solid) to display it. This feature does not replace the need for assessing meaning for each cultural region or the creation of alternative text, so a separate review is required before posting.
