Wikipedia:Proposal for a spelling standardization talk header

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It is proposed that a new template be put into general use on article talk pages to officially standardize the variation of the English language used on the associated article, particularly for articles where the spelling variation is repeatedly changed. A common example cited by editors is Orange (colour), which has been repeatedly changed back and forth, and had three or so move proposals, all of which failed. It would therefore expedite such discussions were the spelling variation to be used and the reasons for choosing that spelling variation easily evident. Articles would not be forced, however, to use the template.

Background[edit]

There are several variations in written English spelling, including notably American English and Commonwealth English or British English. Wikipedia has encountered the problem of users contesting which spelling variation of English should be preferred often, and has certain policies in place to ensure that spelling in Wikipedia should be internally consistent and appropriate to the subject if applicable. Articles denoting subjects corresponding particular locations should correspond to the official spelling in that location, and international subjects will arbitrarily use the spelling of the first distinguishable major edit with a clear preference for one variation. Examples of this application include, for example:

American Civil War: American English usage and spelling
Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings: British English usage and spelling
Blue: British or Commonwealth English usage and spelling, as per the first distinguishable version, which uses the variable word "colour" as opposed to "color".

Templates proposed[edit]

Template code[edit]

(line breaks inserted for page fit issues here, see Nihiltres' sandbox at that time for original unformatted code)

{| {{#ifeq:{{{small|}}}|yes|class="messagebox small-talk"|class="messagebox standard-talk"}}
|- {{#ifeq:{{{small|}}}|yes|align='center'|<!--null-->}}
|[[Image:Gnome-globe.svg|50px]]
|This article's spelling has been standardized to {{#switch:{{lc:{{{spelling}}}}}
|american='''[[American English]]'''.
|british
|commonwealth='''[[British English|British]] or [[Commonwealth English]]'''.
|#default=a variety of English ('''Please clarify by specifying a variety in the template.''')
}} {{#if:{{{revision|}}}{{{talkrevision|}}}|<!--null-->|<font color=FF0000>'''This spelling is not established.'''</font>}}
 {{#if:{{{revision|}}}|This spelling was established in the article at <span class=plainlinks>
[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title={{PAGENAMEE}}&oldid={{{revision}}} revision {{{revision}}}]</span>.|<!--null-->}}
 {{#if:{{{talkrevision|}}}|It was established in the talk page on <span class=plainlinks>
[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title={{FULLPAGENAMEE}}&oldid={{{talkrevision}}} revision {{{talkrevision}}}]</span>.}} 
{{#if:{{{reason|}}}|{{{reason}}}|<!--no special reason specified-->}} As such, '''please do not change the spelling standardization!''' 
Changes to the spelling variation to the article, including moves - if the article's title has a variation - may be reverted on sight, 
according to the [[WP:MOS|Wikipedia Manual of Style]]'s [[WP:ENGVAR|policy]] regarding [[American and British English spelling
 differences|national varieties of English spelling]]. If consensus on the article's spelling becomes unclear, please remove this 
notice.
|}

Examples of implementation[edit]

{{User:Nihiltres/Sandbox|small=yes|spelling=british|revision=987654321|talkrevision=123456789|reason=In addition, there's a good reason, like this example one.}}

This article's spelling has been standardized to British or Commonwealth English. This spelling was established in the article at revision 987654321. It was established in the talk page on revision 123456789. In addition, there's a good reason, like this example one. As such, please do not change the spelling standardization! Changes to the spelling variation to the article, including moves - if the article's title has a variation - may be reverted on sight, according to the Wikipedia Manual of Style's policy regarding national varieties of English spelling. If consensus on the article's spelling becomes unclear, please remove this notice.

{{User:Nihiltres/Sandbox|small=no|spelling=american|revision=987654321|talkrevision=123456789|reason=In addition, there's a good reason, like this example one.}}

This article's spelling has been standardized to American English. This spelling was established in the article at revision 987654321. It was established in the talk page on revision 123456789. In addition, there's a good reason, like this example one. As such, please do not change the spelling standardization! Changes to the spelling variation to the article, including moves - if the article's title has a variation - may be reverted on sight, according to the Wikipedia Manual of Style's policy regarding national varieties of English spelling. If consensus on the article's spelling becomes unclear, please remove this notice.

{{User:Nihiltres/Sandbox|small=yes|spelling=british|revision=987654321|reason=In addition, there's a good reason, like this example one.}}

This article's spelling has been standardized to British or Commonwealth English. This spelling was established in the article at revision 987654321. In addition, there's a good reason, like this example one. As such, please do not change the spelling standardization! Changes to the spelling variation to the article, including moves - if the article's title has a variation - may be reverted on sight, according to the Wikipedia Manual of Style's policy regarding national varieties of English spelling. If consensus on the article's spelling becomes unclear, please remove this notice.

{{User:Nihiltres/Sandbox|spelling=american|talkrevision=123456789}}

This article's spelling has been standardized to American English. It was established in the talk page on revision 123456789. As such, please do not change the spelling standardization! Changes to the spelling variation to the article, including moves - if the article's title has a variation - may be reverted on sight, according to the Wikipedia Manual of Style's policy regarding national varieties of English spelling. If consensus on the article's spelling becomes unclear, please remove this notice.

This article's spelling has been standardized to a variety of English (Please clarify by specifying a variety in the template.) This spelling is not established. As such, please do not change the spelling standardization! Changes to the spelling variation to the article, including moves - if the article's title has a variation - may be reverted on sight, according to the Wikipedia Manual of Style's policy regarding national varieties of English spelling. If consensus on the article's spelling becomes unclear, please remove this notice.

Comments[edit]

Please discuss on the talk page.