Reference Conventions
Language Name Abbreviations

It is not intended to give contrastive abbreviations for all the languages of the world. The list below covers those most likely to be cited in general writings about Europe or Asia. Nearly all languages included in Buck's Dictionary of Selected Synonyms in the Principal Indo-European Languages (1949) are here represented, but with some variations (including a few suggested by Buck himself). Where confusion is possible, the language name should be spelled out on first occurrence, and the abbreviation used thereafter.

A few Greek dialects are given independent names. In most cases, a dialect of a language Lg can be specified as "Lg(Dialect)." Buck's prefixes H (high), L (low), N (new), M (middle), and O (old) can be simply prefixed to the forms given here, thus NGk "New Greek." For greater precision, a century can be prefixed, as 13Ch(JYYY), for which read "13th century Chinese as reflected in the dictionary Jung-ywaen Yin/Ywn." For another type of prefix, contrast Sk / Sanskrit and VSk / Vedic Sanskrit in the list below.

Note the distinction here made between languages (capital + small letter) and families (all caps).

List

  Calligraphic Separator

These conventions will accommodate only the more commonly mentioned languages. For a more comprehensive but less transparent system of nomenclature see the on-line Ethnologue. We will be grateful to viewers who bring conflicts and difficulties to our attention.

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29 May 2004 / Contact The Project / Exit to Reference Page