[WikiEN-l] Babel template en-5

Tue May 2 05:56:05 UTC 2006

On 5/1/06, Steve Bennett <stevage at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> On 26/04/06, Death Phoenix <originaldeathphoenix at gmail.com> wrote:
> > I don't use it, but I suspect en-5 was originally supposed to be used to
> > denote those who write English professionally, such as journalists,
> writers,
> > and editors. My own profession would probably qualify. However, I only
> use
> > the native English one to point out that, yes, I know English as a
> native,
> > but I find it really unnecessary from a Babel point of view to point out
> > that I can write professionally (especially when my quality of edits on
> > Wikipedia is often subpar).
> >
> > I don't really see a need for en-5, but I don't begrudge those folks who
> > want to use it.
>
> I would like to know more about what the babel boxes are really
> supposed to be used for. I definitely write better English than the
> average English speaker. I'm even a professional technical writer (for
> all the qualifications that required :)) And I speak French pretty
> well.
>
> What benefit, besides pure ego, does sharing this information with the
> world via babel boxes actually have? Someone mentioned once seeking
> out speakers of certain languages for help in translation, but it
> seems to me that specific "En->Fr 3" boxes would be more
> appropriate...no?
>

The reasons Jimbo gives are pretty valid. I know a few other languages, but
I find my skills in those are largely useless in the context of Wikipedia,
therefore I don't list them. :-)