Pattern 56
Interlinear rows expose their alignment
Distinguish source-language tokens, glosses and translation wording.
Concrete takeaway
Label the source text, token alignment, gloss source and reading direction.
Choose an approach
These are editorial decision conditions to validate. Some alternatives are successive states or can be combined; they are not always exclusive choices.
| Alternative | Use when | Tradeoff or requirement |
|---|---|---|
| A · Mobile: compact token stacks | Small-screen token inspection is useful | Wrap whole token groups rather than individual rows |
| B · Large screen: aligned rows | Several linguistic layers need comparison | Alignment and metadata require reliable sources |
| C · Word detail on demand | Only one word needs deeper analysis | An on-demand sheet must retain the source token anchor |
The problem
An interlinear view can make a gloss look like a complete translation and imply one-to-one word equivalence. Dense lexical metadata can overwhelm the passage.
The pattern
Label the source text, token alignment, gloss source and reading direction. A gloss is a lexical aid rather than a fluent translation or a definitive meaning in context. Offer compact token stacks, expandable word detail and wider aligned rows where space permits. Let the user choose which rows to display: original script, transliteration, gloss, morphology or lexical reference. On mobile, wrap whole token groups in source order or open one token at a time; preserve right-to-left ordering and bidirectional labels. Distinguish source-order interlinear from translation-order reverse interlinear. Missing token links need an explicit unavailable state rather than invented alignment.
Compare the alternatives
Distinguish source-language tokens, glosses and translation wording.
A · Mobile: compact token stacks
Whole token groups wrap together; each row has a named role.
B · Large screen: aligned rows
| Source | Token 1 | Token 2 | Token 3 | Token 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gloss | Gloss 1 | Gloss 2 | Gloss 3 | Gloss 4 |
| Morphology | Form 1 | Form 2 | Form 3 | Form 4 |
Extra room supports more layers, with optional metadata.
C · Word detail on demand
One word opens deeper study without crowding the passage.
Original wireframe proposals · No live controls · Grey rows represent schematic text, not loading states · Labelled placeholders are not Scripture quotations
Download this wireframe as SVGFailure modes
Breaking a token stack across lines; flattening right-to-left source order; presenting a gloss as the chosen Bible translation; guessing links from similar-looking words.
Bible and faith considerations
The diagrams use labelled token placeholders, not invented Greek or Hebrew. Exact language layouts require real source data and specialist review.
What to validate
Test Greek and Hebrew with expert reviewers, narrow width, enlarged text, bidirectional scripts, multi-token mappings and missing alignment. Can readers identify the origin of every row?
Research-informed design proposal. These visual alternatives have not been tested with users in this atlas. Source findings, documented behaviour and this proposed adaptation are different kinds of evidence.
Sources and adaptation
This card is an original design synthesis. The following sources inform its content distinctions, interaction approach or review requirements; they do not validate the whole pattern.
- Scripture structure documentationRelevant structure and marker references reviewed · A format is not a complete model of app behaviour, annotations or formation.
- Understanding ReflowOfficial guidance reviewed on 5 October 2026 · Semantic scroll restoration is an original design proposal, not a requirement stated by this criterion.
Common scenarios and flows
- Compare editions across screen sizes — Inspect wording and context while retaining edition identity.
Design principles in this decision
Editorial application of Missional by Design. These values frame review questions; they do not validate a pattern’s effectiveness.
- Rootedness — Which source and tradition inform this experience, and what meaning or context might this adaptation lose?
Compare alternatives using the task and evidence above. Record competing needs instead of treating a principle as an automatic verdict.