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.
What? If it is used in various ISO standards, it should have made
ISO worry about wrangling with future names, already.
So, can't we wait till a revised version comes up, unless we have
urgent need for it.
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,
I'm afraid it is effectively equivalent to do the ISO's job by IETF.
The country code isn't a problem IMHO since those codes change very
infrequently,
The country code changes quite frequently. There is no USSR now.
If we do need the code, the more stable method is to do:
<639 code>-<longitude>-<latitude>-<year>[.<month>[.<date>]]
which is, still, not at all, complete.
but removing the 2-letter limitation "just in case" can't hurt.
It is easy to remove limitations later. It is impossible to add
limitations incompatible to the already registered names later.
MO