HarmonyOS Next Application Internationalization: Region Identification and Cultural Differences

This article aims to deeply explore the technical details of the Huawei HarmonyOS Next system (up to API 12 as of now) in terms of region identification and division of cultural habits in application internationalization, and is summarized based on actual development practices. It mainly serves as a carrier for technical sharing and communication. Mistakes and omissions are inevitable. Colleagues are welcome to put forward valuable opinions and questions so that we can make progress together. This article is original content, and any form of reprint must indicate the source and the original author.
In the process of globalization, for HarmonyOS Next applications to succeed in different regions, it is necessary to deeply understand and properly handle region identification and cultural differences. Region identification is the foundation for realizing application internationalization, while differences in cultural habits directly affect users' acceptance and usage experience of the application. This article attempts to elaborate on the composition and functions of region identification, cultural habit differences in different regions, how to handle cultural differences in applications, and common cultural pitfalls and avoidance methods, hoping to serve as a starting point for further discussion.

I. Composition and Functions of Region Identification

(I) Components

1. Language (Language)     - Consisting of 2 - 3 lowercase English letters, it is used to indicate the language used by the user. For example, Chinese is represented by "zh", and English by "en". Language codes follow the ISO - 639 standard and cover numerous languages in the world. Accurate language identification helps the application provide users with the correct language interface and text content.
2. Script (Script)     - Represented by 4 English letters with the first letter capitalized, it stands for the character set used by the user. For example, Simplified Chinese is represented by "Hans", and Traditional Chinese by "Hant". This is crucial for handling the display and typesetting of different writing systems such as Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Hiragana and Katakana in Japanese, etc.
3. Country/Region (Country/Region)     - Identified by 2 uppercase English letters to mark the country or region where the user is located. For example, China is "CN", and the United States is "US". It is based on the ISO - 3166 standard and can help the application determine relevant information such as format specifications, laws and regulations in specific regions, thereby making targeted adaptations.
4. Extension Parameters (Extension Parameters)     - Starting with the lowercase letter "u", each extension parameter consists of a key and a value, joined by a hyphen. For example, the pinyin sorting of the lunar calendar uses "u - ca - chinese - co - pinyin". Extension parameters can be used to represent other characteristics of the user, such as the calendar (ca), string sorting rules (co), number system (nu), hour cycle (hc), etc. Different languages and regions may have different requirements for these parameters. Through extension parameters, the application can more accurately meet users' personalized needs. ### (II) Functions
5. Resource Matching and Loading     - Region identification is the key basis for the application to determine which language resources to load during runtime. When the user opens the application, the system, based on the device's region settings (related to region identification), selects the resources that best match this identification from numerous resource files for loading. For example, if the region identification of the user's location is "zh - Hans - CN", the application will preferentially load resources customized for Simplified Chinese (zh - Hans) and the Chinese region (CN), such as interface texts, pictures, audio, etc., ensuring that the user sees content that conforms to their language and regional habits.
6. Function Adaptation and Customization     - It helps the application achieve localized adaptation of functions. According to different region identifications, the application can adjust date and time formats, number and currency formats, units of measurement, etc. For example, in some regions, the date format is "DD/MM/YYYY", while in others it may be "MM/DD/YYYY"; currency symbols and formats also vary from country to country, such as the different display methods of the US dollar "$" and the Chinese yuan "￥". By identifying region identifications, the application can provide users with a functional experience that conforms to local habits.
7. Cultural Habit Adaptation     - It enables the application to respect and adapt to the cultural habits of different regions. For example, in terms of color selection, certain colors have different symbolic meanings in different cultures. By understanding the cultural background of the user's region through region identification, the application can avoid using color combinations that may cause misunderstandings or discomfort. In terms of interface layout, it can also be adjusted according to the reading habits of different regions (such as from left to right or from right to left) to improve users' comfort and satisfaction in using the application. ## II. Cultural Habit Differences in Different Regions ### (I) Languages and Writings
8. Writing Direction     - As mentioned earlier, most Western languages such as English are written from left to right, while languages such as Arabic and Hebrew are written from right to left. This not only affects the display order of texts but also has an important impact on interface layout, icon design, etc. For example, when designing an interface containing texts and icons, it is necessary to ensure that the relative positions of the icons and texts are reasonable under different writing directions.
9. Character Set and Font     - Different languages use different character sets. For example, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean use ideographic characters with a large number of characters and complex structures. This requires the application to ensure that the font can clearly and accurately display all characters when handling these languages and maintain compatibility on different devices. Meanwhile, some languages may have multiple font styles to choose from, and the application needs to adapt according to local aesthetic habits.
10. Grammar and Expression Habits     - Grammar structures vary greatly among different languages. For example, in English, adjectives are usually placed before nouns, while in French, the position of adjectives may be after nouns; the word order and expression methods of Chinese sentences are also very different from those of English. In the text translation and interaction design of the application, these grammar differences must be fully considered to ensure that the translated text is natural and fluent and that users can correctly understand the prompts and operation instructions of the application. ### (II) Date, Time, and Number Formats
11. Date Format     - Date formats vary from country to country. The United States is accustomed to using the "MM/DD/YYYY" format, while most European countries use the "DD/MM/YYYY" format, and China commonly uses the "YYYY - MM - DD" format. When displaying dates in the application, they must be correctly displayed according to the format of the user's region, otherwise, it may cause users to misunderstand the date information.
12. Time Format     - There are also differences in time formats, including the preference for using the 12 - hour or 24 - hour system. For example, the United States commonly uses the 12 - hour system and adds "AM" (morning) or "PM" (afternoon) after the time; while many countries such as China generally use the 24 - hour system. The application needs to select the appropriate time display format according to the user's region settings to facilitate users' reading.
13. Number Format     - The grouping symbols and decimal point representations of numbers vary in different regions. In some European countries such as Germany, the comma (,) is used as the decimal point, while the dot (.) is used for number grouping; while in countries such as China and the United States, the decimal point is represented by the dot (.), and number grouping is done with the comma (,) or a space. When displaying numbers in the application, it should follow the local number format specifications to ensure the readability and accuracy of the numbers. ### (II) Symbolic Meanings of Colors and Icons
14. Color Symbolic Meanings     - Colors have different symbolic meanings in different cultures. White is often associated with weddings and purity in Western culture, but may be related to funerals in some Asian cultures; red represents festivity and good luck in Chinese culture, while it may symbolize danger or warning in some Western countries. When designing the interface of the application, the cultural background of the target market must be considered when choosing colors to avoid causing negative emotions or misunderstandings among users due to improper use of colors.
15. Icon Symbolic Meanings     - There are also similar cultural differences in icons. For example, the thumbs - up icon represents likes and approvals in most Western cultures, but may be regarded as an impolite gesture in some Middle Eastern regions; mailbox icons may have different design styles in different countries, and users' perceptions of them may also be different. Therefore, when designing application icons, sufficient market research is required to ensure that the meanings of the icons are clear, positive, and meet users' expectations in different cultures. ### (IV) Cultural Customs and Social Etiquette
16. Social Interaction Modes     - In terms of social functions, different cultures have different interaction habits. For example, in some Western cultures, people are more direct and open, and social interactions in applications may be more inclined to instant messaging, public comments, etc.; while in some Asian cultures, people may be more concerned about privacy and implicitness, and social interactions may be more through private messages, group chats, etc. The design of the application's social functions should consider these cultural differences and provide diverse interaction modes to meet the needs of different users.
17. Festivals and Celebration Activities     - Different regions have their own unique festivals and celebration activities, which may have an impact on the operation and promotion of the application. For example, during Christmas, applications in Western markets may launch Christmas - related theme activities, promotional offers, etc.; while during the Chinese Spring Festival, applications can combine Spring Festival cultural elements to carry out red envelope activities, New Year's blessings, etc., increasing users' participation and stickiness. Understanding the festival cultures of different regions can help the application better interact with users and improve users' experience. ## III. How to Handle Cultural Differences in Applications ### (I) Resource Localization
18. Multi - Language Resource Configuration     - Create multiple resource directories according to region identifications, such as "resources/zh - Hans - CN", "resources/en - US", etc., and store resource files corresponding to different languages and regions in each directory, including interface texts, pictures, audio, etc. During the application development process, load the resources in the corresponding directory according to the user's region identification through code, ensuring that the user sees localized content. For example, when displaying the interface title, obtain the translated text from the corresponding language resource file.
19. Dynamic Resource Loading     - Utilize the resource loading mechanism provided by the HarmonyOS system to achieve dynamic loading of resources. According to the user's language switching operation within the application or the change in the system language setting, update the resources displayed on the interface in real time. For example, when the user switches the language from English to Chinese in the application settings, the application can immediately reload the Chinese resources and refresh the interface display without restarting the application. ### (II) Function Adaptation
20. Date, Time, and Number Format Adaptation     - Use the internationalization - related classes of the HarmonyOS system, such as DateTimeFormat and NumberFormat, to automatically format dates, time, and numbers into the local custom styles according to the region identification of the user's location. For example, when displaying the current date, generate the correct format date string according to the region setting through the DateTimeFormat class; when displaying numbers, use the NumberFormat class to handle the formatting of number grouping, decimal points, etc.
21. Input and Validation Adaptation     - Adapt the input boxes according to the input habits of different regions. For example, the format and number of digits of telephone numbers may be different in some regions, and the application's input box should be able to accept and correctly validate different formats of telephone numbers. For number input, according to the local number format specification, allow users to input number representations that conform to their habits and perform correct conversion and processing in the background. ### (III) Culturally Sensitive Design
22. Interface Element Design     - In the interface design, fully consider the cultural differences of elements such as colors, icons, and layout. When choosing colors, avoid using colors that may have negative meanings in some cultures; when designing icons, ensure that their meanings are clear and consistent in different cultures; adopt a flexible interface layout that can adapt to changes in the length and reading direction of different language texts, such as supporting layout mirroring from right to left.
23. Content Review and Adjustment     - Conduct a cultural review of all text contents, pictures, audio, etc. within the application to avoid content that may violate local cultural customs, religious beliefs, or laws and regulations. For example, in the application's community function, filter out content containing sensitive words, inappropriate pictures, or content that violates local moral norms. Meanwhile, according to the characteristics of different regions' cultures, adjust the prompt information, help documents, etc. within the application to make them more easily understood and accepted by local users. ### (IV) User Feedback and Iteration
24. Collect User Feedback     - Establish effective user feedback channels to encourage users to feedback problems related to cultural differences encountered during the use of the application. For example, set a feedback button within the application to guide users to submit questions and suggestions; collect user feedback through the application store's comment section, social media, etc. Classify and analyze user feedback to promptly discover the deficiencies of the application in handling cultural differences.
25. Continuous Iteration and Optimization     - According to user feedback, regularly update the application iteratively to improve the functions and designs related to cultural differences. For example, if users report that an icon is easily misunderstood in a specific region, promptly replace or modify the icon; if it is found that some text translations are not accurate or natural, optimize the translations. Continuously monitor market dynamics and cultural change trends to continuously improve the adaptability and competitiveness of the application in different cultural environments. ## IV. Common Cultural Traps and Avoidance Methods ### (I) Cultural Misunderstanding Traps
26. Problem Description     - Due to a lack of understanding of the cultural background of the target market, certain elements in the application (such as texts, icons, colors, etc.) may be misunderstood by users, resulting in a negative impression or usage obstacles. For example, an application used a pig - related icon in the Middle East region, and in Islamic culture, pigs are regarded as taboos, which may arouse the反感 of local users.
27. Avoidance Methods     - Before the application design and development, conduct sufficient market research to deeply understand the cultural customs, religious beliefs, values, etc. of the target market. Form a cross - cultural team or consult local experts to review the content and design of the application to ensure that there is no potential risk of cultural misunderstanding. For example, when designing icons, conduct multiple rounds of evaluation for different cultural backgrounds to avoid using elements that may cause disputes. ### (II) Language Translation Traps
28. Problem Description     - Direct translation or machine translation may result in inaccurate, unnatural, and even ambiguous texts. For example, certain idioms and slang in English may not convey their accurate meanings when directly translated into other languages; some culture - specific words in Chinese (such as "功夫", "太极", etc.) may also be difficult for foreign users to understand if translated improperly.
29. Avoidance Methods     - Hire professional localization translators who are proficient in both the source language and the target language and are familiar with the cultural backgrounds behind the two languages. Provide detailed translation scenarios and context information to help translators accurately understand the meaning and intention of the original text. After the translation is completed, conduct multiple rounds of proofreading and review, preferably with a native speaker for the final review to ensure translation quality. For example, for important prompt information and function descriptions within the application, organize an expert team to translate and review to ensure that users can correctly understand the operation and function of the application. ### (III) Date and Number Format Traps
30. Problem Description     - Incorrectly assuming that all regions use the same date and number formats may lead to display confusion or user input errors. For example, in a global application, if only one date format is used for input validation, some regional users may not be able to correctly input dates; for number input, if the local number grouping and decimal point representations are not considered, data processing errors may occur.
31. Avoidance Methods     - Use the internationalization classes provided by the system to handle date and number formats, such as DateTimeFormat and NumberFormat, to ensure that the application can automatically adapt to the correct formats according to the user's region. When designing input boxes, consider the format requirements of different regions, allow users to input dates and numbers according to their local habits, and perform correct conversion and validation in the background. For example, for date input boxes, dynamically adjust the input format prompt according to the user's region setting, such as "DD/MM/YYYY" or "MM/DD/YYYY". ### (IV) Social Etiquette Traps
32. Problem Description     - In the design of the application's social functions, not considering the differences in social etiquette of different cultures may cause users to feel uncomfortable or unwilling to use. For example, in some cultures, directly asking users about their age, gender, etc. personal information may be considered impolite, while in other cultures it may be more common; the frequency and mode of certain social interactions (such as likes, comments, etc.) also vary in different cultures.
33. Avoidance Methods     - Research the social etiquette norms of the target market, provide flexible setting options in the design of social functions, allowing users to make personalized adjustments according to their own cultural habits. For example, for the collection of personal information, adopt an optional way and explain the purpose and usage method of the collection to the user; in the social interaction function, provide diverse interaction modes so that users can choose the mode that suits their cultural habits to communicate. Meanwhile, in the prompt information and guiding language of the application, use expressions that conform to the local social etiquette to avoid giving users a sense of offense. By deeply understanding the importance of region identification, sensitively perceiving the differences in cultural habits of different regions, and taking effective measures to handle cultural differences and avoid common traps, HarmonyOS Next application developers can create high - quality applications that truly adapt to the global market. On the road to internationalization, continuous learning and continuous optimization, integrating cultural factors into every detail of the application, are the keys to the successful globalization of the application. I hope this article can provide useful references and guidance for the vast number of HarmonyOS system colleagues in handling the issues of region identification and cultural differences in application internationalization, helping Harmony