Bridging the Gap: How Localization Teams Can Use Unicode to Solve i18n Issues

Track: Global Business | GB3 |   Everyone |
Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 3:00pm – 3:45pm
Held in: Live 2
Presenter:
Hilary Atkisson Normanha - Spotify
Host: Anne-Marie Colliander Lind

Localization teams often spot internationalization (i18n) issues but struggle to advise engineering on how to fix them. In this session, Sr. Product Manager at Spotify, Hilary Atkisson Normanha, will share how Unicode’s libraries and best practices transformed her approach – saving time, money, and unnecessary custom solutions. She’ll cover practical examples, like how Unicode’s placeholder formatting standards (MessageFormat, ICU) help prevent translation errors or how her team recently solved for Thai line breaking issues. Attendees will leave with actionable insights and resources to solve common i18n challenges, align with global standards, and confidently bridge the gap between localization and engineering – no coding required!

Key Takeaways:

Attendees will learn how Unicode provides ready-made solutions for common i18n challenges, saving time and money while ensuring products align with global standards. They will also discover how to leverage Unicode’s libraries and community to confidently advise engineers, prevent costly mistakes, and connect with industry experts to solve complex localization issues.