Multicultural, International Computer Interfaces

Virtually all computer interfaces are designed for English-speaking cultures. This is true even for simple interfaces such as menus. This research program examines the difference in user performance between subjects from one culture (as defined by native spoken language) and subjects from the USA.

One research project (Franklin Castro-Quesada's thesis) examined a search menu system in English and Spanish. Additionally, the menu structure (noun-verb versus verb-noun) was altered for both languages. Verb-noun menus proved to be more accurate and timely for both language groups.

Another research project (Scott Roycraft's thesis) examined a process control menu system in Chinese and English for a robot arm system. The menus were developed in English for one group and in Chinese characters for the other group. Menu structure was also studied for each group. A menu system and control software system was developed to control a robotic arm. He also found that Action-Object menus were more accurate than Object-Action menus.