ISO 639, RFC 464* & African languages

[Don Osborn]

Not sure about where is most appropriate to bring this up so will bring it up on both ltru and ietf-languages (with apologies for the crossposting). 

I've been in discussions about a project to facilitate writing of locales for African languages, and in that discussion I have suggested that the effort keep notes on the categories of language headings available in ISO 639 for this purpose.

I feel this is a unique opportunity to gather information on application of these tags in specific work relating to use of a number of African languages in ICT. I don't expect anything dramatic, but hope this helps get discussions past the few examples generally circulated (including ones that some readers may be tired of seeing from me).

It may possibly lead to some suggestions re new codes. It might also lead to other observations re use of existing codes. 

Two requests:
1) thoughts or guidelines on the above, what specifics to look for, etc.
2) ideal follow-up with the RFC process and its post 464* iterations if/as indicated; I understand of course about the processes for applying for new ISO 639 codes, which the event they are necessary (at the very least I would expect one for Runyakitara) would probably be initiated by country-level partners

Don Osborn
Bisharat.net
PanAfriL10n.org