1---2name: internationalization-patterns3description: Designing for global audiences, cultural considerations, and international UX.4---56# Internationalization Patterns78## Text Direction9- **LTR:** English, French, German, Hindi, Chinese, Japanese10- **RTL:** Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, Urdu11- Use `dir="auto"` for user-generated content12- Test with mirrored layout for RTL1314## Currency & Numbers15| Region | Number | Currency |16|--------|--------|----------|17| US/UK | 1,234.56 | $1,234.56 |18| EU | 1.234,56 | 1.234,56 EUR |19| India | 1,23,456.78 | ₹1,23,456.78 |20| Japan | 1234 | ¥1,234 |2122## Date & Time23| Region | Date | Time |24|--------|------|------|25| US | 04/11/2026 | 3:45 PM |26| EU | 11/04/2026 | 15:45 |27| ISO | 2026-04-11 | 15:45:00 |2829When ambiguous, use named months: 11 Apr 20263031## Cultural Considerations32- Names: don't assume first/last name structure33- Addresses: format varies wildly by country34- Phone numbers: different lengths and formats35- Colors: meaning varies by culture (white = mourning in some Asian cultures)36- Imagery: gestures, symbols, and scenarios that are universal vs. local3738## Design System Impact39- Build components that handle text expansion (German is 30% longer)40- Test with long words (German compound nouns)41- Font stacks with CJK fallbacks42- Icon metaphors that work globally (not US-centric)