Comments on: Why using flags to represent languages is wrong

By: raluca

raluca — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 22:36:18 +0000

I think you are spot on Paul. I also remember a few months ago I explained to somebody why doing it was wrong, he listened carefully and thanked me for the input, he thought the reason was well founded and seemed very interested in the topic. A few days later he approved a design which used flags for the languages and when I queried it he simply replied “Everybody’s doing it!” Not sure why in this digital environment copying others is thought to be the only way/the right way. But this is heading towards a different discussion…which I may write about in the future, I think it is required now.

By: Paul Keating

Paul Keating — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 22:39:58 +0000

This discussion keeps on coming back, for the simple reason that the flags won’t go away.

It’s striking that nearly all of the comments I have read along the lines of What’s the problem with using a flag? you’re just being politically correct! are by monolingual people from largely monolingual countries.

They don’t understand that Irish people may feel faintly queasy about clicking on a Union Jack or Stars and Stripes icon to get English. To say nothing of the unfortunate Belgian who is expected to choose between a Dutch flag or a French flag.

Trouble is, the vast majority of web developers are monolinguals from largely monolingual countries. They don’t undersand, they can’t be persuaded, and they hugely outnumber the rest of us. And that is why the flags won’t go away.

By: raluca

raluca — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 19:54:37 +0000

Thank you Jimmy.

By: jimmy

jimmy — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:59:22 +0000

good post. Great job! I will definitely stop using flags to represent the languages.

By: raluca

raluca — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 21:59:35 +0000

Hi “Me”

Thank you for your post. I respect your opinion and I agree, I actually come from a web design and development background myself and know that most web designers recognize the difference but do use flags to represent languages. However, when you design a website for a big client with global or international presence, pointing out this issue will surely be appreciated as they will be concerned with user experience and ethical behaviour more than anybody else. And I do agree with the fact that people easily recognize the Union Jack as a symbol for the English language. However, if you are looking for the language which you know, I am almost certain that everybody will know the international code of their native/preferred language. And if we think of it, how many people recognize all the flags? I think a lot less than the ones recognizing the codes or the names of the languages. I think that in era where we begin to be more and more preoccupied with ethical behaviour, human rights and equality, it is time to move away from this practice…

By: Me

Me — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 21:37:09 +0000

There is nothing wrong with using, say, the Union Jack for the English version of a website. It’s the most immediately recognizable visual symbol. It stands out in a sea of text, which can’t be said about the word “English” or “ENG”. That’s why people started using it, and that’s why they will continue using it, whatever your theoretical objections to the practice.
I can assure you that all the webpage designers know that the flag is the symbol of the country and not the language, but they also know that this doesn’t matter for this particular application.

By: raluca

raluca — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:42:10 +0000

Hi James,

Hopefully we can slowly convince people to give up this practice.

By: James

James — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:54:48 +0000

I totally agree with everything you’ve written here — in fact not long ago I set up a blog specifically about this issue.

If you’ve time to check it out and add any thoughts I’d love to hear them!