Proposal discussion: BIP39 native-language display wordlists

The email highlights the challenges and potential solutions associated with the localization of Bitcoin wallet recovery experiences. The primary concern addressed is the lack of full localization in most existing wallets, particularly the inability to map native-language inputs back to the standardized English BIP39 recovery process. This gap is significant as it leads non-English speakers to rely on English recovery words, posing a user experience (UX) and recovery risk.

The sender's personal involvement with BlockSight, a multilingual Bitcoin block explorer, and TZUR Wallet, a Bitcoin-only self-custody wallet, exemplifies efforts to integrate localized recovery options within the app without offering financial services like trading or custody. These projects are part of broader attempts to improve the localization of Bitcoin tools, which currently do not sufficiently cater to non-English speaking users, such as Hebrew speakers in Israel.

The proposal discussed aims to establish a simple, optional wallet-level convention where the English BIP39 remains the canonical standard. It suggests using fixed, independent display/input lists for localized words that deterministically map by index back to the English BIP39 wordlist. Crucially, it recommends that wallets should always allow the export of the canonical English BIP39 phrase to maintain security and interoperability across different platforms.

This approach not only addresses the UX challenges but also provides a methodology for other wallet developers to adopt, fostering a more inclusive and safer environment for non-English users within the Bitcoin ecosystem. The comprehensive strategy includes already prepared wordlists ready for review, testing, and adoption, highlighting a community-driven effort to enhance the functionality and accessibility of cryptocurrency tools globally.