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In the rich mosaic of South East Asia, diversity is not merely a sprinkling of distinct colors but the very palette of life. Unsurprisingly, this diversity extends to the realm of dates too. As we at Staple journey through this fascinating region, here are some little-known facts about the interesting date formats used in countries like Japan, Vietnam, and more.
In the land of the rising sun, where traditions intertwine with modernity, the date ascends in a pattern unique to its history. The Japanese use the era name (nengo) system, a practice tied to the reign of their emperors. The era changes with the ascension of a new emperor, marking time in the “Imperial era.”
So, in a country where the year could be identified as “Reiwa 4” (4th year of Emperor Naruhito’s reign), or as “2023” for international relations, deciphering dates could feel like learning a new language.
For instance, “令和4年11月23日” could stand for “23rd November in the 4th year of Reiwa,” or “2023/11/23” when translated into the Gregorian system.
The Vietnamese date system is a reflection of its culture — a harmonious blend of ancient customs and contemporary practices. The traditional Lunar calendar, primarily used for festivities and agriculture, coexists with the Gregorian calendar that prevails in business documentation.
Thus, a date such as “ngày 23 tháng 11 năm 2023” (23rd November 2023) is typical in formal papers, while Lunar dates earmark cultural activities. It’s a delicate dance of lunar cycles and solar years that punctuates the rhythm of Vietnamese life.
The Thai date system offers a glimpse into its deep-seated Buddhist traditions. The Buddhist calendar, 543 years ahead of the Gregorian, is often used alongside the Western system. So, in Thailand, 2023 translates into 2566, adding a layer of intrigue to this nation’s date formats.
A typical Thai date could read as “23 พฤศจิกายน 2566” in Thai script, equivalent to 23rd November 2023 (Gregorian) or simply “23/11/2023.”
In the Philippines, history narrates a tale of dual influences. The American colonization popularized the MM/DD/YYYY format, while the Spanish occupation left its mark with months often written in Spanish. Thus, you could encounter “11/23/2023” or “23 de Noviembre de 2023,” a dance of English numerals and Spanish words that encapsulates the country’s vibrant past.
From the emperor’s reign in Japan to the moon’s cycles in Vietnam, the Buddhist Era in Thailand, and the Spanish influence in the Philippines, date formats in South East Asia narrate intriguing tales of history, culture, and diversity.
Yet, as fascinating as they are, these date formats can also pose challenges for businesses processing multilingual and multinational documents. The solution? A tool (read: an ace multilinguist) capable of parsing this rich variety and transforming it into actionable insights.
Whether it’s a date on a Vietnamese Invoice or a receipt in Thai for your Boba Tea, our AI seamlessly recognizes and converts these dates into a universal format your systems can readily process.
As a pioneer in AI-powered document processing, Staple excels at transforming complexity into simplicity. We empower businesses to effortlessly navigate the maze of diverse date and document formats, from invoices and bank statements to receipts, particularly in the vibrant South East Asian market. Our strength lies in recognizing and adapting to regional nuances, guaranteeing that every critical piece of data is accurately translated and processed.
Staple AI represents an evolutionary leap in document processing solutions. Our platform is constantly learning, adapting, and simplifying your document management tasks. Choosing Staple is akin to onboarding a dedicated team of multilingual experts who work around the clock, ensuring no essential information is lost in the translation of languages or calendars. When it comes to document extraction and data management, Staple AI is your trusted partner.
Reach out to us at hello@staple.io to know how we can help you or check out our product at www.staple.ai