Wiktionary:Babel

User language templates aid multilingual communication by making it easier to contact someone who speaks a certain language. The idea originated on Wikimedia Commons and has also been implemented on Meta-Wiki and some of the Wikipedias, to varying extents. To participate, you can add the Babel template to your user page by following these instructions:

• Start off with {{Babel|
• Then add one of the following codes for each language you speak, separated by |, where xx is the ISO 639 code for the language:
  • xx-0 if you don't understand the language practically at all. You can use this if there's some reason why you might be expected to know the language better, or to indicate that you know something very little about it. Your user page will not be categorized by placing that template.
  • xx-1 for basic command (the ability to understand the language somewhat and to ask or answer simple questions)
  • xx-2 ability to modify articles and to participate in discussions
  • xx-3 for advanced or fluent understanding (the ability to write articles in this language without difficulties, minor errors may occur)
  • xx-4 if you have a grasp of the language comparable to a native speaker, but are not a native speaker
  • xx if you're a native speaker

• Then finish by adding closing braces: }}

So, for example, {{Babel|en|de-1}} would indicate a native speaker of English with basic knowledge of German. {{Babel|sv|de-4|en-3|fr-2|es-1|an-0}} would indicate a native speaker of Swedish with a knowledge equal to that of a native speaker of German, an advanced knowledge of English, an intermediate knowledge of French, a basic knowledge of Spanish and no knowledge of Aragonese.

The template adds you to the category associated with your level of understanding, and to the overall category for that language. To find someone who speaks a particular language, see user languages, and follow the links. For the most part, the two and three letter codes are taken from ISO 639, but see this list for a comprehensive guide.

The text for some languages may change depending on whether the user has set their gender in their preferences to be male, female or unspecified. This is automatic and happens without needing to do anything.

Note: Babel boxes may be removed by other users if it is clear that the user's claimed language proficiency levels are unsubstantiated.

You can help expand this system by following the instructions at Module:Babel/data, or you can search for language codes which already have translated texts using the search box to the right. There are already default messages, so there's no need to add messages for a language unless they're translated into that language.