A Study of Accessibility in Translation of Navigation Signs in Tehran Metro

This study examines the accessibility of translated navigational signs in Tehran Metro as a key site of public translation. Using field observations supported by the User-Centered Translation (UCT) framework, it assesses the clarity, consistency, and usability of bilingual signage and other multimedia  features across multiple metro stations and lines. The analysis identifies recurring inconsistencies in transliteration, translation choices, and the alignment between station names at stations and on the official metro map. These variations demonstrate the lack of a standardized approach to multilingual communication within the network and highlight the impact of such discrepancies on user navigation. The study contributes empirical data to ongoing discussions of translation in public spaces by showing how multilingual signage practices can either facilitate or hinder effective wayfinding in transit environments.

Keywords:

Accessibility , station name , user-centered translation , Tehran metro