Re: Offensive symbols

Subject: Re: Offensive symbols
From: WRK/dlchute <dlchute -at- WAONLINE -dot- COM>
Date: Tue, 29 Jul 1997 13:46:43 -0700

Scott J. Wilson wrote:

> Our documentation team has gotten feedback that the "thumb's up"
> symbol
> used in one of our products is offensive in Australia. (If anyone can
> confirm or refute this, could you e-mail me privately.)
>
> I'm wondering if anyone has familiarity with William Horton's "The
> Icon Book", and, if so, does it address problems of this nature
> (symbols meaning different things in different cultures)?

I do not know about Australia, but I do know that in Italy, Greece, and
Turkey the "thumbs up" sign is, to quote William Horton's "The Icon
Book," "an invitation to insert the thumb into a private part of the
anatomy." (page 245).

Yes, the Horton book is a great resource. Chapter 10 is on "Icons for
International Products."
--
Dian Chute

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