ietf-822
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Re: A spec for showing language in MIME headersd

1993-11-02 20:21:21
Harald T. Alvestrand writes:

The syntax of this header is:

Content-language: <2xAlpha>[_2xAlpha] (comment) [ , ... ]

I would prefer '-' rather than '_', mainly because I see future
possibilities for using these language tags in text/enriched
to get around some of the unification headaches of ISO-10646
(no, I'm not suggesting we do it now), and '-' fits in nicer
with the command syntax of text/enriched.

Masataka Ohta writes:

I have heard that there are about 4,000 to 8,000 languages (neglecting
dialects) in the world.

If so, I think your scheme is no good.

I wouldn't go that far.  The 2-letter codes he is using are in the various
ISO standards for such tags, so it is a good start, building on previous
efforts.  It also lets ISO worry about wrangling with future names, and takes
the burden off the IETF's shoulders.

I suggest though that the tags not be limited to 2 letters.  Put in some
weasel words to the effect that initially the first tag may have any of
the 2-letter codes set out in ISO 639, and that it is expected that a future
update to ISO 639 will define additional tags which will also be valid
tags for Content-Language purposes.

The country code isn't a problem IMHO since those codes change very
infrequently, but removing the 2-letter limitation "just in case" can't hurt.

Overall, I like this proposal: there's just a few sharp edges to file off. :-)

Cheers,

Rhys.

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