Version at: 05/08/2018, 19:41
Go back to <a href="http://tatoeba.org/">tatoeba.org</a>.
# How to request a new language to be added
This article explains how to request a new language to be added in Tatoeba. Note that this concerns the languages of the **sentences**, not the language of the interface. For the language of the interface, refer to the article about the [interface translation](interface-translation).
## Requirements
We add languages based on the [ISO 639-3 classification](http://www-01.sil.org/iso639-3/?_ga=GA1.2.668062843.1444763156&_gat=1). Therefore the main requirement for your language to be added in Tatoeba is that it can be identified in the [ISO 639-3 list of languages](http://www-01.sil.org/iso639-3/codes.asp?order=reference_name&letter=a).
There are currently 2 exceptions: CycL and Toki Pona. These languages are not recognized in the ISO 639-3 classification. They however exist in Tatoeba because they were added long ago, before the decision was made to follow the ISO 639-3 classification.
## You can add sentences before the language is officially added
* You are allowed to add sentences in a language that is not yet supported in Tatoeba, as long as the language is listed in the ISO 639-3 classification.
* Note that before you can add any sentence at all, you need to fill up your profile and add at least one language. You don't have to mention all the languages you know, if you know several. You can pick any. Ideally, pick your strongest language among the ones that are available.
* When you add your sentences, choose the option "Auto detect" for the language.
* After the sentences is added, if the language was not identified as "unknown" (you will see an icon with a question mark if it is), then click on the language icon and select "other language".
* If you are adding sentences in languages that are not part of the ISO 639-3 classification, we may delete them.
* Members of Tatoeba who are in charge of language requests ([cueyayotl](https://tatoeba.org/eng/user/profile/cueyayotl) and [Ricardo14](https://tatoeba.org/eng/user/profile/Ricardo14)) will regularly be checking whether or not there are sentences added in new languages, and will do the necessary to add the new languages.
## To speed things up
To make sure your language is added as soon as possible, you can do the following:
1. [Create a list](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences_lists/index) with the name of the language in English and the ISO code in parenthesis. For example: `Friulian (fur)`. Add to this list a few sentences in your requested language.
2. Send a private message to [cueyayotl, Ricardo14](https://tatoeba.org/eng/private_messages/write/cueyayotl,Ricardo14) - with the following information:
* The link to the list that you created. For example:[https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences_lists/show/6242](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences_lists/show/6242)
* An image that can be used to visually represent the language. The final icon will be 30x20 pixels, so don't choose an image that has too much detail that won't be visible at a small scale.
If you follow these steps, your language may be added within one or two weeks. Otherwise, it can take months.
## Pending requests
You will find in our GitHub issues the list of languages that have been requested but have not been added yet.
You want to check specifically issues that are labelled [lang-request](https://github.com/Tatoeba/tatoeba2/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3Alang-request), although you should also check other issues, in case the language you requested was not properly labelled.
As long as your language is not listed on GitHub, it will definitely not be added, therefore don't hesitate to contact [cueyayotl and Ricardo14](https://tatoeba.org/eng/private_messages/write/cueyayotl,Ricardo14) if you don't see your language in the list.
---
* **Last update:** November 16th, 2017
* [Procedure for developers](https://github.com/Tatoeba/tatoeba2/wiki/Adding-a-new-language)
* Return to [Tatoeba homepage](http://tatoeba.org/home).
version at: 21/10/2018, 21:36
Go back to <a href="http://tatoeba.org/">tatoeba.org</a>.
# Language requests
This article explains how to request a **new language** to be added in Tatoeba. This is about languages of the **sentences in the corpus**. For languages of the interface, please refer to the article about the [interface translation](interface-translation).
## How to request a language
### Step 1: Identify your language in the ISO 693-3 standard
Search for your language in the [ISO 639-3 list of languages](https://iso639-3.sil.org/code_tables/639/data).
- The language must have a 3-letter code in the column "639-3" (the first column). If not, then it is not valid to us.
- The language must be defined as an individual language. It must not be not a macrolanguage.
Please understand that if your language is not recognized in the ISO 639-3 standard, we cannot support it in Tatoeba. Language classification is a complex task and it is not part of Tatoeba's mission. We rely on the ISO 639-3 standard for this.
If your language is missing in this standard, please contact the ISO 639-3 Registration Authority from their website: [https://iso639-3.sil.org/](https://iso639-3.sil.org/).
### Step 2: Create a list with sentences in your language
**Warning:** If you are new to Tatoeba, be aware that before you can add any sentence at all, you need add at least one language in your profile. You don't have to mention all the languages you know, just one is enough. Ideally, pick your strongest language among the ones that are available.
- [Create a list](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences_lists/index) with the name of the language in English and the ISO code in parenthesis. For example: `Friulian (fur)`.
- You can add new sentences directly from the list or you can find a few sentences to translate into your language.
* When you add your translations, choose the option "Auto detect" in the language dropdown.
* After the sentence/translation is added, if the language was not identified as "unknown" (you will see an icon with a question mark if it is), then click on the language icon and select "other language".
- If you have trouble understanding how to use lists, don't hesitate to ask for help [on the Wall](https://tatoeba.org/eng/wall/index).
### Step 3: Find an image which we can use to create the language icon
Just like members of Tatoeba have profile pictures, languages in Tatoeba also have their "profile picture" (language icon). We will create an icon for your language based on the image you will send us.
First of all, do not feel pressured to find an image. If you are unable to find something good, we can always use our default language icon template: the icon will have the 3-letter ISO code written in black on a white background.
If you wish to find a more colorful icon to represent your language, here are the guidelines:
- The image must be **easily recognizable by the native speakers** of the language. If we show the image to a native speaker and they have no idea which language is represented by the image, it is not a valid image.
- The image **does not need to be a country flag**. Most of our icons are based on country flags because languages are most easily associated to country flags. But if your language can be represented by something else than a flag, it is completely okay.
- The image should remain **politically correct**. For instance it should not contain sexual or offensive visuals. We keep the right to refuse to use the image you suggested if we consider it is inappropriate.
- Please take into consideration that **the size of our language icons is 30x20 pixels**. This is quite small and therefore you should choose an image that can be recognizable at this scale.
### Step 4: Submit your request
To inform us of your language request, [contact cueyayotl and Ricardo14 via private message](https://tatoeba.org/eng/private_messages/write/cueyayotl,Ricardo14). They are in charge of handling language requests.
Make sure you provide the following information:
- The link to the list that you created.
- The link to the image that you suggest we use for the language icon (if you have found any).
- You can craft yourself a 30x20 pixel icon but make sure you link the original image. It is possible we decide to readjust a few things from your icon and need the original image to achieve these adjustments.
Feel free to provide any other information that you think is relevant.
## How to follow the progress of your request
Once you have submitted your request, here are the remaining steps before youyou can see your language available in Tatoeba.
If something is taking longer than you expect, please contact [Trang](https://tatoeba.org/eng/private_messages/write/TRANG).
### Issue created in GitHub
- After sending you request, the first step is to wait for cueyayotl to report your language request into GitHub. We track all the language requests in the [issues of our GitHub repository](https://github.com/Tatoeba/tatoeba2/issues).
- Before adding your request to GitHub, cueyayotl will work with Ricardo14 on creating a language icon.
- Additionally, the following will be checked:
* The sentences you have added in the list are indeed written in the language you request to add.
* The image you have suggested for the language icon is appropriate.
- It will usually take no longer than two weeks for your request to be created in GitHub.
### Pull request opened
- This is the technical part of the language request. Ricardo14 takes care of creating the [pull requests for languages](https://github.com/Tatoeba/tatoeba2/pulls). The pull request contains the changes to apply in the source code to add your language.
- The pull request is usually opened no longer than one week after the issue is created.
### Issue assigned to milestone
- If there is controversy around the language you wish to add, you may need to wait until we come to an agreement or to a compromise. This can stall the addition of your language for several weeks.
- If nothing is wrong, your language request will be scheduled for to be deployed as soon as possible.
- You will have an idea on which date your language will be available on Tatoeba by checking the milestone of the GitHub issue (displayed in the right-side column). For instance if the milestone says `2018-10-23`, it means the language is scheduled for October 23rd, 2018.
### Pull request merged
- Merging a pull request means that we integrate the changes into the main codebase. As long as the pull request is not merged, the source code doesn't contain yet the necessary modifications to support your language.
- A pull request will usually be merged shortly after it is assigned to a milestone. However, if we discover last minute issues, we may delay the merge and as a result, we may move the language request to a later milestone.
### Tatoeba updated
- This is the last step. Your language will be available on Tatoeba once the website is updated.
- We update Tatoeba usually every Sunday. The time of the update is variable.
## Additional information
* [How to request a change of language icon or name](language-change-request)
* [Procedure for developers](https://github.com/Tatoeba/tatoeba2/wiki/Adding-a-new-language)
*This article was last updated on October 21st, 2018.*