Wikipedia:Naming conventions (languages)
This consensus. When in doubt, discuss first on the talk page. |
Articles on
Programming languages should be disambiguated with the suffix "(programming language)" if the name is not sufficiently unambiguous. For example, VBScript does not need clarification, while Python (programming language) does.
Redirects
In the examples above, we would place a redirect to Arabic at
Languages and their speakers
Tswana | |
---|---|
Person | Motswana |
People | Batswana |
Language | Setswana |
Country | Botswana |
Where a common name exists in English for both a people and their language, it is most often the case that neither is the
The template {{Infobox ethnonym}} may be used to list the various native forms, as at right for Tswana.
- As with the corresponding guideline at Wikipedia:Naming conventions (ethnicities and tribes) § Self-identification, how the group self-identifies should be considered. If their autonym is commonly used in English, it would be the best article title. Any terms regarded as derogatory by members of the group of speakers in question should be avoided.
Language families
a [[Kalenjin languages|Kalenjin language]]
. X languages is preferred over X language family because it leaves the actual nature of the grouping (genetic, geographic, or otherwise) an open question, which saves us from nit-picking about the article title in the case of controversial families, or whether the article covers a 'branch', 'group', 'subfamily', etc.
Dialects, registers, and other varieties
The choice of "language" or "dialect" should follow the
The word "language" is used for varieties which have standard forms, per common usage, even if they are not distinct languages by other criteria, as for example
The term