Language Scent: Exploring Cross-Language Information Navigation

TL;DR

This paper introduces the concept of 'language scent' to describe how multilingual users evaluate the value of switching languages during information seeking, and presents Niffler, a system designed to support this process.

Contribution

It formalizes the concept of language scent in cross-language navigation and develops Niffler, a system that enhances multilingual search through contextual cues and reflection tools.

Findings

Niffler helps users form and execute exploratory search strategies.

Users gather more diverse information using Niffler.

Language scent influences cross-language information seeking behaviors.

Abstract

While multilingual users often switch between languages when seeking information, this process remains undersupported by current systems where information is typically siloed by language. Our formative study reveals that users' cross-language transitions are guided by their perceived value of switching to a language, a concept we formalize as language scent. Language scent extends Pirolli and Card's theory of information scent to multilingual scenarios by considering meta-level strategy formation when navigating between different languages. To support language scent, we designed Niffler, a search system that augments language scent and supports cross-language information navigation through contextual cues, in-situ tools, and reflection support. A lab study with 16 multilingual speakers showed that Niffler facilitated the formation and execution of exploratory and granular search strategies and leads to diverse information being gathered. Our findings establish language scent as a valuable lens on cross-language information seeking, highlighting language's role in enabling access to broader information and offering concrete implications for the design of multilingual search systems.