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Reductive, Addictive Counting

One for the interface designers out there - knowing if, when and how to engage in a bit of l10n or I18N.

A shimokitazawa bar patron holds her right hand open closing each digit to count from zero to five, followed by opening each digit to count from six to ten - first reducing then adding. Do you use one or both hands to count up to ten? Do you start with clenched fist or an open palm?

Related: counting systems for different objects in Japan; counting in China and Bangkok, and at more of a tangent the sequential naming of rice cookers in Akedake, and the naming strateghy for items on a LA diner menu.

Can’t quite remember what she was actually counting - it was that kind of night. Ta DM, CS.

Writing from Shimo Kitazawa | August 26, 2007 | Permalink