Have you ever felt like differences in language were holding your organization back? Perhaps you have tried to standardize language across parts of your organization only to find you have opened a huge can of worms?
The experiences we make for our users are made of language choices. We also depend on language to collaborate with the people we work with. Yet language is most often only tended to when you talk about things like content and copy.
Controlling your organization’s vocabulary is one of the murkiest messes we can take on, but it also might be one of the most impactful ways we can help our organizations.
In this talk, Abby Covert, staff information architect at Etsy, will share with us the strategies and tactics they are using to pay closer attention to language choices they make across both internal and external user experiences.
25. It is a delicate
balance
Wanting a creative name
that stands out in a
crowded market
Using names that make sense
and can be integrated into a
user’s life
52. People
Who is involved in
the system?
Features or Places
What pieces does the
system have?
Paths
What might people look
to accomplish?
Where to look
for nouns
53. Tasks & Actions
What can users do
in the system?
User Goals
What do users come
here to accomplish?
Opposing Action
How do actions get
undone?
Where to look
for Verbs
61. Elements of a Successful
Controlled Vocabulary
• Definition that references nested
definitions
• Visual representation of how the
concept being defined relates to
nested definitions
• Approved synonyms and context in
which those are appropriate
• Historical context
• Strategic Considerations and Notes
• Examples
• Related Terms
= redacted details to hide identity of organization
62. Wrap Up
1. Look for and eliminate vague and proprietary language
2. Reconcile your mental model with your co workers’ and users’
3. Assure you understand your audience’s context
4. Take steps towards controlling your vocabulary
62
63. I wrote a
book about
information
architecture
for everybody