is hebrew read right to left or left to right

Make sure the sequence of your pictures, navigation, animations and illustrations is localized properly and adapted to the reader.īidirectional script support means that both writing scripts with different directions (left-to-right and right-to-left) are supported. Keep in mind that localization for RTL languages is not just a localization for writing, it is a localization that affects visual components as well. If you are considering to include a RTL language localization of your product, or languages such as Mandarin, Japanese or Korean in the future be sure to enable bi-directional text. When it comes to RTL languages, it is important to take into account that they take up more horizontal space than left-to-right languages.Īdditionally, although the characters are written right-to-left, numbers are still written in a left-to-right system - this is called bi-directional text. How to localize for right-to-left languages? Just considering the sheer number of language speakers, it is obvious that localization into RTL languages provides exceptional opportunities for market expansion.

Arabic - official language in 26 countries, with 310 million speakers Hebrew - official language in Israel, 9 million speakersģ. Urdu - official language in Pakistan and India, more than 101 million speakersĢ. There are 12 languages with RTL writing systems, and most prominent examples include:ġ. While languages such as English, German and Spanish have the left-to-right direction, others are written and read from right to left or in different variants of vertical writing. Script or writing systems of languages can have a different direction of writing, reading and interpreting. Spatial design changes are necessary when localizing for RTL languages (including navigation, visuals, general layout, numerics, etc).Įnabling Unicode Bidi (or bidirectional script support) should be on your to-do list at the very beginning of the product development process. Localization for RTL languages should definitely be planned for in the early stages of product design and kept in mind that it involves more than just text translation. Right-to-left languages are written and read from right-to-left, and localization for billions of these native speakers is a must for any business intending to truly go global.

Is hebrew read right to left or left to right