Last call: Latvian (and Bontok) extlang subtags

[Michael Everson]

On 8 Feb 2010, at 03:11, Doug Ewell wrote:

> Michael Everson <everson at evertype dot com> wrote:
>
>>> Not really.  Historically we have only approved extlang subtags  
>>> for use with primary language subtags in wide use:  "lv" is in  
>>> wide use, but "bnc" is not.
>>
>> Oh, I really don't think we should discriminate in that way.  
>> Latvians important, Bontocs not. No, no.
>
> The judgment is not whether one language is "important" and another  
> is not.  The judgment is whether the primary language subtag has  
> seen wide use.

The Reviewer is supposed to exercise linguistic judgement. As such he  
tends to prefer to treat languages even-handedly. You're suggesting  
that this particular case is to be judged quantitively, is that correct?

How can the Reviewer "judge" whether a subtag is in wide use or not?  
By means of clairvoyance? By means of search-engine?

>>> As I said before, I'd prefer to se "lv-ltg" and "lv-lvs"  
>>> available, but not "bnc-*".
>>
>> Your rationale? Is it other than "Bontocs not"?
>
> See my rationale.

Evidently this is not very clear.

Michael Everson * http://www.evertype.com/