Globalization (G11N) and Internationalization (I18N) testing ensures your application works correctly for users worldwide. Here are the key components to test:
1. Language Translations
Verify all UI text is correctly translated. Watch for truncation when translated strings are longer than English originals, and ensure special characters (ü, ñ, 汉字) render correctly.
2. Currency Handling
Different countries use different currency symbols, decimal separators, and grouping separators. Test that prices format correctly: $1,234.56 vs €1.234,56.
3. Phone Number Formats
Phone numbers vary significantly by country (+91 for India, +1 for US). Validate both the input format and display format for all supported regions.
4. ZIP / Postal Codes
US ZIP codes are 5 digits; UK postcodes follow a different alphanumeric pattern; India uses 6-digit PIN codes. Validation logic must handle all formats.
5. Date & Time Formats
MM/DD/YYYY (US) vs DD/MM/YYYY (UK/India) vs YYYY/MM/DD (ISO). Also test timezone handling, daylight saving time, and 12h vs 24h clock display.
6. Numeric Formats
The Indian numbering system (lakhs, crores) differs from the Western system. Decimal and thousand separators also vary by locale.
7. Legal & Compliance
Cookie consent (GDPR in Europe), data residency requirements, age verification, and content restrictions differ by jurisdiction. Each market may require specific legal text.
8. Right-to-Left (RTL) Languages
Arabic and Hebrew are written right-to-left. UI layout, text alignment, and navigation flow must be mirrored for RTL locales.