A couple years ago, there was a session at the AAM Annual Meetings on this
topic.  Panel members from Canada and the US southwest discussed bilingual
labels and programs.  The tips I remember most clearly are: 1) consistent
placement -- always have one language on the left and the other on the
right; and 2) use two different colors or tones.  I know Harry doesn't like
it -- neither do my graphics designers -- but it does help visitors quickly
identify the labels in their language (and, just as importantly, the labels
in the other language which they need not bother to read).

The Field Museum has only done one experiment with bilingual labels, in our
hall of ancient Mesoamerica.  They were translated by a team of native
Spanish-speakers in our Education department.  (As Project Developer, and as
one who's exposure to Spanish ended in the 10th grade, I had to take
everything on faith, and was repeatedly frustrated by conflicting
translations and last-minute changes, for which I had no way of judging
their relative importance.  If I had to do it over, I would find a
professional I could trust who was truly fluent in both languages.)

Sadly, no evaluation has been done, although there have been positive
comments from some Spanish-speaking visitors.

This project was limited in scope and did not attempt to re-label the entire
hall.  Every label we did touch, however, was translated into both languages.



Eugene W. Dillenburg
Coordinator, Special Projects
Exhibits Department
The Field Museum of Natural History
Chicago, Illinois  60605-2496
V: (312) 922-9410 x636
F: (312) 922-6973
E: [log in to unmask]

"Never pay more than minimum wage for a shirt."

                                -- Bruce Elliott