A Unified Glossary

Ecosystem
1

:construction: This initiative is part of the UX Bounty, and all necessary resources will be covered by its budget. You can access all relevant materials here.

Overview

“Our ecosystem’s UX is fragmented…”

OK – you might have heard it already too many times!

But maybe not from this angle:

“we are all using inconsistent terminology”

Different parachains and dapps often use varying language for the same actions, causing confusion and friction for users.

For example, terms like “Transfer” and “Cross In” may mean the same thing but differ across platforms like Hydration and Bifrost.

Additionally, many terms we use are unfamiliar to newcomers. We must take steps to align our language with the broader crypto industry.

It all starts with the words we use.

Proposed Solution: A Unified Glossary

We propose developing a unified glossary to establish consistent, user-friendly language across the Polkadot ecosystem.

To ensure smooth adoption by teams, this glossary will be released in versions, allowing for iterative improvements over time.

The first version (V01) will focus on:

  • DEXs
  • Liquid Staking
  • Bridges
  • Token States (e.g., reserved, locked, etc.)

Key Objectives:

  1. Consistency: Eliminate variations in terminology for the same functionality.
  2. Clarity: Prioritize using familiar, predictable terms to make the ecosystem more welcoming, especially for newcomers.
  3. Comprehensiveness: Over time, ensure that all critical terms are covered and clearly explained.

Methodology

We’ll begin by analyzing the terminology used across Polkadot dapps and align them with a benchmark of the broader industry, using top TVL dapps in EVMs and Solana.

This analysis will result in a raw list of terms that need to be unified. For each term, we’ll propose a clear definition that teams can use for tooltips when needed.

Midway through the process, we’ll host a workshop to present our progress and gather feedback from the community and stakeholders.

Later, we’ll conduct user testing to A/B test assumptions. Our user selection is still TBD but we’ll go for a diverse range of personas (beginners, advanced users, Polkadot OGs, newcomers, etc.).

Finally, Glossary V01 will be presented to teams for final input before being added into official wikis and docs.

Roadmap:

Phase 1 (Oct - Nov 24):

Analyze current terminology in Polkadot, EVM and Solana dapps.

Phase 2 (Nov 24 - Jan 25):

Create the unified glossary, conduct workshops and test terminology with users.

Phase 3 (Jan 25 → ):

Establish the glossary as the single source of truth in the wikis and docs.
Start of its implementation across dapps and parachains.

Summary

The creation of a Unified Glossary will eliminate inconsistent terminology across our ecosystem and help us being more accessible, particularly for newcomers.

While there will be challenges in getting teams aligned and ensuring widespread adoption, we will provide the resources and support necessary to make this transition smooth. Community feedback will be gathered throughout the process to ensure the glossary meets the needs of all stakeholders.

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Note: This glossary is intended as a guide — parachains and dapps are free to adopt their own terminology as needed. However, we highly encourage ecosystem-wide collaboration and integration to ensure a consistent user experience.

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