Proposed Successor to RFC 3066 (language tags)

[Randy Presuhn]

Hi -

Am I the only one who finds the whole idea of basing a standard
on a specific vendor's product repugnant?  If they made the information
freely available to all I might be more sympathetic, but it sounds
like that is far from the case here.

Randy

> From: "Debbie Garside" <debbie at ictmarketing.co.uk>
> To: "Michael Everson" <everson at evertype.com>; <ietf-languages at iana.org>
> Cc: <iso639 at dkuug.dk>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2003 7:14 AM
> Subject: RE: Proposed Successor to RFC 3066 (language tags)
>

> As an expert in languages and coding systems, I am sorry that you cannot see
> the use of the Linguasphere product in globalisation/defence/mobile
> technologies/internet applications to mention but a few.  As to the
> Linguasphere database being expensive... it has never been offered for sale.
> The printed register is available for £100 plus P+P to interested parties.
> However, Linguasphere have given many many copies of the register away free
> in exchange for updated information from experts such as yourself.  If you
> would like a copy of the Register and would like to suggest corrections or
> make comments on its content you will find our response most welcoming;
> Indeed Linguasphere actively encourages contact with linguists worldwide in
> order to correct, add and update the information.
>
> I see that you are based in Dublin, I will have occasion to be in Dublin 4-5
> times a year for the next 3 years starting in January (in relation to
> another international project with Irish partners based in Dublin) I would
> welcome the opportunity to meet with you in order to discuss the methodology
> for distinguishing language and dialect and to deliver a copy of the
> Linguasphere register at the same time.
>
> Kind regards
>
>
> Debbie Garside
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ietf-languages-bounces at alvestrand.no
> [mailto:ietf-languages-bounces at alvestrand.no]On Behalf Of Michael
> Everson
> Sent: 25 November 2003 09:48
> To: ietf-languages at iana.org
> Cc: iso639 at dkuug.dk
> Subject: RE: Proposed Successor to RFC 3066 (language tags)
>
>
> At 14:18 +0000 2003-11-24, Debbie Garside wrote:
>
> >Linguasphere ICT are developing ISO 639-6.  In a nutshell, 639-6 will bring
> >all the IS0 639 family together.  We will be proposing unique alpha4 codes
> >for each individual language/dialect.  Further proposals are scheduled for
> >May 2004 with regard to the dating of languages/dialects and a structuring
> >code.  Linguasphere ICT has also related each language to its hierachical
> >mother via the alpha4 coding system; in excess of 25,000 languages and
> >dialects have already been coded in this way.(you might note I am not a
> >linguist but am more computer orientated).
>
> I would reject such a standard. In the first place Linguasphere's
> database is expensive and unavailable; in the second, what I have
> seen of it (the PDF about Irish available on its web site) make me
> deeply distrustful of its methodology for distinguishing "language"
> and "dialect". It is doubtful that such a level of granularity is
> either useful or desirable in an ISO standard.
>
> >As far as I am aware, SIL are on track with 639-3, indeed a draft CD has
> >been circulated for comments by end Dec 2003.  I am sure Havard will
> respond
> >on this with schedules.
>
> I haven't seen it, but it is difficult to follow the workings of that
> committee because of the way documents and information are
> distributed.
>
> >We would very much welcome your input on this important extension of the
> ISO
> >639 family.
>
> As an expert in languages and coding, quite honestly, I would say
> "don't bother".
> --
> Michael Everson * * Everson Typography *  * http://www.evertype.com
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