The Role of Text Alignment on Response Speed and Accuracy When Reading Chinese-English Bilingual Traffic Signs
Yuchan Zhang, Jeanne-Louise Moys, and Matthew Lickiss
School of Design, University of Leeds, UK
Corresponding author: Yuchan Zhang (Y.Zhang15[at]leeds.ac.uk)
Abstract: This paper discusses the effect of text alignment on Chinese-English bilingual traffic signs on the speed and accuracy of navigational responses. Two text alignment conditions (centered and left settings) were tested in relation to sign complexity and the separating spacing between place names. Video materials were used to provide a safe way to simulate how and where road signs may appear in a driving scenario, while efficiently testing many variations. A total of 36 participants who read English but not Chinese engaged in this study. The results suggest that left alignment improves speed and accuracy in making decisions when responding to three-directional signs with narrower separating spacing, whereas centered alignment may be beneficial for one-and two-directional signs. These findings highlight the value of including text alignment specification in guidance for bilingual signage, especially when accounting for sign complexity. However, further studies are needed using methods with a higher ecological validity and a broader range of participants before robust recommendations can be devised.
Implications for practice: This study underscores the need for more nuanced typographic guidance in the design of Chinese-English bilingual road signs. The findings highlight the importance of accounting for the complex interactions between typographic and spatial attributes in sign composition for drivers to make quick and accurate decisions. In particular, practitioners and policymakers should specify text alignment, as it impacts drivers’ speed and accuracy in navigation. These insights contribute to the development of safer and more efficient road navigation systems.
Keywords: bilingual typography; Chinese-English road signs; sign legibility; text alignment; text spacing
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Cite this article:
Zhang, Y., Moys, J.-L., & Lickiss, M. (2025). The role of text alignment on response speed and accuracy when reading Chinese-English bilingual traffic signs. Visible Language, 59(2), 130–152. https://www.visible-language.org/journal/issue-59-2-the-role-of-text-alignment-on-response-speed-and-accuracy-when-reading-chinese-english-bilingual-traffic-signs
First published online August 15, 2025. © 2025 Visible Language — this article is open access, published under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license.
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