diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7850110..855d3af 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -276,6 +276,8 @@ A language selector will be included on sites with more than one language. Add `
 
 The language selector will link to a translation of the current page if it exist and to the front page if it does not.
 
+For "rtl" languages add a `dir` parameter to the language configuration. If not added it will default to "ltr".
+
 ```
 languages:
   sv:
@@ -284,6 +286,11 @@ languages:
   en:
     weight: 2
     languageName: "English"
+  ar:
+    weight: 3
+    languageName: "العربية"
+    params:
+      dir: "rtl"
 ```
 
 
diff --git a/layouts/_default/baseof.html b/layouts/_default/baseof.html
index 2c823d8..e609244 100644
--- a/layouts/_default/baseof.html
+++ b/layouts/_default/baseof.html
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <!DOCTYPE html>
-<html class="nojs" lang="{{ .Site.Language.Lang }}" dir="{{ $.Param "languagedir" | default "ltr" }}">
+<html class="nojs" lang="{{ .Site.Language.Lang }}" dir="{{ .Site.Language.Params.dir | default "ltr" }}">
 <head>
 <meta charset="utf-8">
 <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width">