An information display system for representing the condition of an industrial process is dynamically convertible via a control input from presenting information in a first form of output to one or more additional forms of output that are different but equivalent to the first. The system can thereby convert the presentation to display terms and labels in a second language or to use a different diagrammatic representation for process flow conditions and the like. The system has a processor with encoded definitions that may be data type groups or point groups, text groups, symbol groups and the like. A memory stores the different but equivalent definitions applicable to the two forms of output, preferably in one-for-one corresponding lists in memory. A control input such as a pointing device or touch sensitive screen triggers the processor to change from one set of definitions to another. The device is particularly applicable to changing between languages, but also can change graphics and similar elements of symbology, for example so that a troubleshooter who speaks only one language or a person familiar with one type of graphic display or set of units of measurement can quickly comprehend the status of a monitoring and control system that normally uses a different language or display, by dynamically converting to more familiar symbology.