A Framework for the Localization of Programming Languages

Most programming languages are only available in English, which means that speakers of other languages need to learn at least some English before they can learn to program. This creates well-documented barriers to entry into programming. While many educational programming languages are localized in some way (e.g. keywords), they often miss important other aspects (e.g. numerals or word order). This paper describes a framework of 12 aspects of programming languages that can be localized, helping tool designers localize their languages better and educators to make more informed decisions about introductory languages in non-English contexts.