Skip to content
Onetime Secret Onetime Secret - Docs docs

Arabic Translation Notes

Arabic (ar) Translation Notes

Section titled “Arabic (ar) Translation Notes”

Language Considerations

Section titled “Language Considerations”

Right-to-Left (RTL) Layout

Section titled “Right-to-Left (RTL) Layout”
  • Arabic is written from right to left
  • UI elements should be mirrored appropriately
  • Numbers and Latin script remain LTR within RTL text
  • Pay special attention to interface layout requirements

Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)

Section titled “Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)”
  • Use Modern Standard Arabic for professional and technical content
  • Professional language suitable for all Arabic-speaking regions
  • Ensures accessibility across different Arabic dialects

Core Terminology

Section titled “Core Terminology”

Secret: سر (sirr)

  • Fundamental to the application - translate consistently
  • Appropriate for professional security contexts
  • Used from “سر الدولة” (state secret) to business usage
  • Emphasizes the confidential nature of the shared item

Password vs Passphrase:

  • Password: كلمة المرور (kalimat al-muroor) - for account authentication
  • Passphrase: عبارة المرور (ibarat al-muroor) - for secret protection
  • This distinction must be maintained throughout the application to avoid confusion

Burn: حذف نهائياً (hadhf niha’iyan)

  • “Final deletion” is more natural than literal “burn” in digital context
  • Clearly conveys permanent deletion concept

Formality

Section titled “Formality”
  • Use formal second person with appropriate verb forms
  • Maintain respectful, professional tone throughout
  • Ensure consistency in formality level across all interfaces

Technical Terms

Section titled “Technical Terms”
  • Use established Arabic technical terminology where available
  • Keep DNS, URL, and similar acronyms in Latin script as universally used
  • Prioritize accuracy over casual localization for security terms
  • Examples:
    • تشفير (encryption)
    • مشفر (encrypted)
    • التحقق (verification)
    • المصادقة (authentication)

Translation Guidelines

Section titled “Translation Guidelines”

1. Consistency

Section titled “1. Consistency”
  • Use the same translation for a term throughout the application
  • Maintain standardized terminology from the glossary
  • Key distinctions to preserve:
    • كلمة المرور for account passwords
    • عبارة المرور for secret protection
    • سر as the core concept

2. Context Awareness

Section titled “2. Context Awareness”
  • Consider how the term is used in the application
  • Account for surrounding UI elements and user flow
  • Ensure translations make sense in their specific context

3. Cultural Adaptation

Section titled “3. Cultural Adaptation”
  • Adapt terms to local conventions when necessary
  • Use Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) for professional and technical content
  • Use established Arabic technical vocabulary

4. Technical Accuracy

Section titled “4. Technical Accuracy”
  • Security-related terms must be translated accurately
  • Prioritize precision over localization for technical terminology
  • Use established Arabic technical terms where available

5. Voice and Tone

Section titled “5. Voice and Tone”
  • Use formal second person with appropriate verb forms
  • Maintain respectful, professional tone throughout
  • Ensure consistency in formality level across all interfaces

6. Right-to-Left (RTL) Layout

Section titled “6. Right-to-Left (RTL) Layout”
  • Arabic is written from right to left
  • UI elements should be mirrored appropriately
  • Numbers and Latin script remain LTR within RTL text
  • Pay special attention to interface layout requirements

7. Clarity and Natural Phrasing

Section titled “7. Clarity and Natural Phrasing”
  • Prioritize natural Arabic expressions over literal translations
  • Use standard phrases familiar to Arabic speakers
  • Ensure terminology is accessible and professional

8. Completeness

Section titled “8. Completeness”
  • Ensure all user-facing strings are translated
  • Avoid leaving English text in the interface
  • Translate help text, descriptions, and metadata

Common Translation Patterns

Section titled “Common Translation Patterns”

User Instructions

Section titled “User Instructions”

Use appropriate verb forms for instructions and actions

Status Descriptions

Section titled “Status Descriptions”

Use passive voice or completed action forms

Help Text and Descriptions

Section titled “Help Text and Descriptions”

Use declarative sentences with formal tone

Error Messages

Section titled “Error Messages”

Use clear, direct language with appropriate formality

UI Element Conventions

Section titled “UI Element Conventions”
  • Follow platform conventions for Arabic interfaces
  • Implement proper RTL layout and mirroring
  • Use standard Arabic terminology for common UI elements
  • Maintain consistency with other Arabic applications

Summary of Translation Principles

Section titled “Summary of Translation Principles”

The Arabic translation maintains:

  1. Terminology Consistency - Standardized key terms throughout the application
  2. Appropriate Formality - Formal, respectful tone for professional context
  3. Natural Phrasing - Standard Arabic expressions and idioms
  4. RTL Awareness - Proper implementation of right-to-left layout
  5. Complete Coverage - All user-facing strings translated
  6. Technical Accuracy - Precise terminology for security concepts
  7. Clear Distinctions - Especially between account passwords and secret passphrases
  8. Modern Standard Arabic - Professional language suitable for all Arabic-speaking regions