Running surveys across multiple regions and languages requires a recognition engine that can handle diverse scripts and handwriting styles. PaperSurvey supports handwriting recognition in 39 languages, covering major world languages and writing systems so you can collect data from respondents worldwide.
Supported languages
European languages
- Croatian, Czech, Dutch, English, French
- German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Lithuanian
- Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian
- Russian, Spanish, Turkish
Asian languages
- Arabic, Armenian, Burmese (Myanmar), Chinese
- Farsi (Persian), Indonesian, Japanese
- Khmer (Cambodian), Korean, Tagalog (Filipino)
- Thai, Tibetan, Urdu, Vietnamese
South Asian languages
- Bengali, Hindi, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali
African languages
- Amharic, Swahili
Language-specific considerations
Script types supported
- Latin script delivers the best accuracy (English, Spanish, French, etc.)
- Cyrillic script provides high accuracy (Russian)
- Arabic script has RTL automatically enabled (Arabic, Farsi, Urdu)
- Asian scripts include complex character support (Chinese, Japanese, Korean)
- Indic scripts offer full support (Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Marathi)
Setting the language
- Go to Survey Settings
- Select the primary language
- The system optimizes recognition for that language
- RTL layout is automatically applied for Arabic, Farsi, and Urdu
- You can change the language on a per-survey basis
Accuracy considerations
High accuracy languages
Languages with Latin scripts typically achieve 95%+ accuracy, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Dutch.
Moderate accuracy languages
Complex scripts may require more verification, including Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, Thai, and Korean.
Factors affecting accuracy
- Handwriting quality. Clear printing works best.
- Script complexity. Simpler scripts recognize better.
- Regional variations. Standard letter forms are preferred.
Common questions
Can I mix languages in one survey? Yes, but set the primary language for best results.
Which English variant is used? The system recognizes all English variants (US, UK, Australian, etc.).
Are accented characters supported? Yes, all diacritical marks are recognized.
What about regional scripts? Major regional variants are supported within each language.
Not seeing your language?
If your required language is not listed, contact our support team for potential alternatives or to request addition for future updates. Our language support continues to expand based on customer needs, and the recognition technology adapts to various handwriting styles within each supported language.