User:Nguye8cl/sandbox

Second Draft of How-to-guide For World Language

When starting an article about a language, one should start with the history of the language. This section should be able to answer where it started, when it started, and if possible, by who it started with. For example, the Mayan languages article's history section answers the where question within the first couple of sentences. Within the same paragraph, it starts naming specific groups that used the language and a rough estimate of when the Mayan language was first used. The slight insight of origins gives the reader an idea of accents that are used in the language later on. The next section of the article should be phonology. Phonology discusses the unique sounds of a language. This section can be broken down into multiple subcategories of constants, stresses, vowels, and more. It is up to the writer what they want to include. There are usually charts to help explain the phonology of languages. For instance, the Tamil language has a chart within their phonology section to help explain their letters. If one chooses to, they may add a classification section right before the history section. This is a little bit different from the history segment. The classification piece states what the language is categorized now like the denomination of it and where it is spoken. A grammar section should be included,too. In this area, the correct ways of phrasing statements and questions is discussed here.

Word Choice and Tone

The tone should be left being monotoned and neutral as stated in Five pillars of Wikipedia. The diction chosen for these articles should not cause controversy or debate at all. The wording should be strictly professional. Words that are specific to a language should be explained and defined. If possible, it should have a phonetic way of saying any of the words in parenthesis. In the Mayan languages article, it talks about the K'iche Maya and explains what it is to the audience since it is not common.

Length

A featured-article-like content is typically around 5000-6500 words. The Mayan language article, for example, has 6647 words in the whole article. In contrast, some articles are closer to the 5,000 words such as the Tamil language article. It should thoroughly explain all the points made in the different sections. However, there are some exceptions to this rule if the article deals with different types of sign language. For instance, the Black American Sign Language article only has 1800 words in total.

Links

To prove one's credibility, links need to be provided throughout the article. All the links included will direct the reader to outside sources. There are two types of links: Wikipedia links and external links. As a writer, one can simultaneously use a combination of both. Wikipedia links will take readers to a different Wikipedia article. These articles will give additional details about the main topic. External links will pull up a whole different website with its own URL. Make sure these websites are credible and accurate.

Citations

Format

Many users a numeral system to indicate what sources they use. Every time a source is used a number is put beside it. A crucial point in a numeral system is to continue citing chronologically, even if the same source is used. All the numbers should be listed in the reference section with the author's name or a link to where the information is found. In addition, there should be a separate bibliography section. Each source used has to be listed in alphabetical order. APA style should be used since many language articles prefer it. The authors'/ publisher's' name, date of publication, article name, publisher, pages, and what type of source it is should be found in every single citation. If one wants more or needs additional guidance, they can refer to outside sources such as Purdue Owl.

Type of Sources

Language sources should use, if possible, up-to-date sources. The first place to start language research is the Encyclopedia of language & linguistic. English language and Tamil language uses it as one of their references. Many use linguistic novels to retrieve basic information of each language. For example, English language uses The Handbook of English Linguistics, African-American English: a linguistic introduction, and An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. In addition, the use of science journals about languages are highly recommended.

How many is the right amount?

The minimum amount of sources for research for a language article should be about 17 sources. To give the article more credibility, one should use at least use 20 or more sources. For example, the Black American Sign Language articles only uses 18, English language uses over 55 sources, Swedish language uses 22 sources, and Tamil language uses 25 sources.

Design Elements

Maps

It is easier to point out where the languages are spoken.

Information Boxes

Audio Boxes

It helps with pronunciation with the language correctly.

First Draft of How-to-Guide For World Language

There are millions of different languages out in the world. Therefore, it gets confusing when trying to learn the basics of a new language. Wikipedia has many articles written on languages but not all of them the best. The authors trying to make a language simpler somehow fails and makes it even more confusing than before. For one to write a great, featured-article-content-like piece they need to have five elements: an amazing lead section, clarity through organization, plenty of details for comprehension, media that supports the content, and professional language. The organization of a language article is crucial and one of the most important elements of it. One should start off with a history of the language. Black American Sign Language, for example, starts with the history to give the reader some information about the origins of the language. Within the history, stating the area and time period of origin gives a little insight on slight accents in the language. After that, there should be a place for phonology. The phonology section can be broken down into more subcategories like constants, stresses, etc. It is up to the writer what to put in but it should be enough to explain the basics of the language. The grammar sections should be next. Basically discuss how you would use the words in phrases the correct ways. The lead section should be a priority on this how-to guide. It should adequately summarize all the points without giving away all the secrets of the article as stated in Wikipedia:Manual Style/ Lead Section. Many users of Wikipedia only read this compared to the whole article. It should be clear, cut, and concise. Another name for this section is the summary of the article. Make sure to keep the length of the lead section relatively close to the main article if that makes sense. A lead should not be longer than the whole article but at the same time it should not be only one sentence. The lead for a language article should be able to answer a few key questions: where is it spoken and why should I read this article. Many details need to go into each paragraph to clarify every statement made. Readers need to understand why the "k" in knife silent in the English language. They cannot simply be told this is true because I said so type situation. Eah subheading made needs to have at least a paragraph explaining it. More would sometimes be nice but do not put in any unnecessary details. According to Five Pillars of Wikipedia every article needs to be written from a neutral point of view. That will tie along with professional language. There should not be a no negative or positive connotation associated with most of the words used. The article needs to be read in a monotone voice. Also, there should not be any huge, studious words used. The audience is intended for the everyday reader. Be careful on using big words no one understands.

Lead Section for Bermuda

Bermuda is an inland in the Atlantic Ocean. It was discovered and named after Juan de Bermudez in the 1500's. It was left inhabited until 1615 when British colonists came back to the island. After they left, Bermuda was divided into nine "tribes," later called parishes. The settlers slowly found their one dependence on tobacco could not work on the island. In 1649, a civil war broke out in England, their so-called main land. This caused an increase of feelings of loyalty to the crown. During the 17th century in Bermuda, agriculture was taking off again. This island relied more on indentured servants than slaves until the Black population got too large. Reliance on Black Slaves stayed so their population could decrease. Finally in 1834, all slaves were deemed as free.

Bermuda's economy shifted from relying on agriculture to maritime. Salt mines became very popular in the area and made the country's economy better. Therefore, workers would leave their homes for months at a time and return back to Bermuda when salt could not be mined. Eventually this caused tensions between Bermuda and the Bahamas, where they mined for salt. There were many questions between the two countries about power, authority, and legitimacy when it came to the salt.

Since the salt industry was threatened, Bermuda expanded to different products and services like privateering . Naval and military bases became an important part of the island's economy and relations with other countries. During the Anglo Boer War, Bermuda transformed into a prison for about 5,000 Boer prisoners of war. While during World War II, Bermuda sent troops to fight alongside the British army. It became an important military base due to its location in the Atlantic Ocean. IN more recent history, Bermuda has a prospering economy and tourism has become an important activity.