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Glossary of Terms
This page is still under construction. The Production Coordinator will be bringing this page up in the next team meeting.
A big part of writing Alt-text is being as direct and concise as possible. The words we use have a big role in how this is accomplished. You can learn more about being direct and concise on the General Guidelines page.
On this page you will find a list of terms to use for describing trickier parts of images, including, but not limited to, facial expressions, culturally specific clothing, buildings, etc..
This is a resource for you! So please add to this list! You can add your additions directly to this wiki page, or email them to the Production Coordinator. If you add them directly, please inform the Production Coordinator so she can review them and share the update with the team!
When in doubt, post the image and your question in the
Alt-text Q&A!
Suggested Words
In this section you will find options for descriptive words. This is an ongoing list that will be added to and adapted.
Clothing
Colour
For images in Black and White see Describing Colour in Images
Most colours you simply state what it is:
Black
Blue
Red
Green
White
Grey
etc.
For descriptors of colours, you want to stick to the facts and be objective. Some context requires more emotive descriptors, and this is based on the surrounding text and audience. When in doubt, post the picture and your question on the Alt-text Q&A
Some common descriptors include:
Light
Dark
Pale
Bright
Shiny/Shining
Glittery
Glowing
Vivid (Bright, intense colours)
Subtle
slight
metallic
Fiery (Burning or glowing like fire)
Glistening (Sparkling or shining like glitter)
Sepia (A reddish/brown colour, like old photographs)
Blotchy (Discoloured or patchy)
Translucent (Allowing light to pass through)
Transparent (Clear; see-through)
Tinted (or Slightly colored)
Faded (Less bright)
Cultural and Religious Items
Body Movement
Walks
Runs
Steps
Reaches
Stretches
Lunges
Swats
Stands
Leans
Tilts head to the Side
Tilts head forward
Facial Features
Grins (smile that shows teeth)
Grins widely
Smiles (smile that does not show teeth)
Smiles widely
Crooked smile
Smirk
Frown
Opens mouth in conversation
Opens mouth to sing
Laughs
Textures and Patterns
You don't always have to describe in detail the pattern of someone's shirt, and can often just state something like: floral pattern
or checkered
or plaid
. If the context calls for more details, stick to the facts. The following words can help you. You can also provide an example of what a texture may be like, if it is clear in the context, for example: smooth as glass
.
Words/Terms to Avoid
Coniferous Tree(s): use pine tree, evergreen tree
Neutral expression
Open mouth
Only describe mouth if it is a clear expression that gives meaning to the image
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