Language Codes For Babel

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Introduction

In the world of LaTeX, Babel is a powerful package that enables users to typeset documents in multiple languages. However, when it comes to specifying language codes, Babel can be a bit restrictive. While it supports a wide range of language codes, it does not natively support ISO language codes. In this article, we will explore the limitations of Babel's language code support and discuss possible workarounds to get Babel to accept ISO language codes.

Understanding Babel's Language Code Support

Babel supports a wide range of language codes, including those defined by the ISO 639-1 standard. However, when it comes to specifying language codes, Babel uses its own set of codes, which are not necessarily aligned with the ISO standard. For example, while the ISO 639-1 standard defines the language code "da" for Danish, Babel uses the code "dano" instead.

The Problem with ISO Language Codes

While Babel's language code support is extensive, it does not natively support ISO language codes. This can be a problem for users who are accustomed to using ISO language codes in other contexts, such as programming or web development. For example, if you want to specify Danish or English in a LaTeX document, you would typically use the following code:

\usepackage[da, include=*]{babel}

or

\usepackage[en, include=*]{babel}

However, as we will see later, this approach may not work as expected.

Workarounds for Using ISO Language Codes

While Babel does not natively support ISO language codes, there are a few workarounds that can help you get around this limitation. Here are a few possible solutions:

1. Using Babel's Alias Feature

Babel provides an alias feature that allows you to map ISO language codes to Babel's internal language codes. For example, you can use the following code to map the ISO language code "da" to Babel's internal language code "dano":

\babelprovide[import=da, alias={da}{dano}]{da}

This code tells Babel to import the Danish language package and map the ISO language code "da" to the internal language code "dano".

2. Using the babel Package with the iso Option

Another possible workaround is to use the babel package with the iso option. This option tells Babel to use ISO language codes instead of its internal language codes. For example:

\usepackage[iso]{babel}
\babelprovide[import=da]{da}

This code tells Babel to use ISO language codes and imports the Danish language package.

3. Using the polyglossia Package

If you are looking for a more flexible and customizable solution, you may want to consider using the polyglossia package instead of Babel. polyglossia is a more modern package that supports a wide range of language codes, including ISO language codes. For example:

\usepackage{polyglossia}
\setdefaultlanguage{danish}

This code tells polyglossia to use the Danish language and sets it as the default language.

Conclusion

While Babel's language code support is extensive, it does not natively support ISO language codes. However, there are a few workarounds that can help you get around this limitation. By using Babel's alias feature, the babel package with the iso option, or the polyglossia package, you can specify ISO language codes in your LaTeX documents. We hope this article has been helpful in unlocking the power of internationalization in LaTeX.

Additional Resources

For more information on Babel and its language code support, please refer to the Babel documentation. For more information on the polyglossia package, please refer to the polyglossia documentation.

FAQs

Q: Why doesn't Babel support ISO language codes?

A: Babel's language code support is based on its internal language codes, which are not necessarily aligned with the ISO standard.

Q: Can I use ISO language codes with Babel?

A: Yes, you can use ISO language codes with Babel by using the alias feature or the babel package with the iso option.

Q: What is the difference between Babel and polyglossia?

A: Babel is a more mature package that has been around for a long time, while polyglossia is a more modern package that provides more flexibility and customization options.

Q: Can I use both Babel and polyglossia in the same document?

Q: What are the most common language codes used in Babel?

A: The most common language codes used in Babel are:

  • en for English
  • fr for French
  • de for German
  • es for Spanish
  • it for Italian
  • pt for Portuguese
  • da for Danish
  • no for Norwegian
  • sv for Swedish

Q: How do I specify a language code in Babel?

A: To specify a language code in Babel, you can use the following syntax:

\usepackage[<language code>, include=*]{babel}

For example, to specify English as the language code, you would use:

\usepackage[en, include=*]{babel}

Q: What is the difference between babel and polyglossia?

A: babel is a more mature package that has been around for a long time, while polyglossia is a more modern package that provides more flexibility and customization options. babel is generally easier to use, but polyglossia provides more advanced features.

Q: Can I use both babel and polyglossia in the same document?

A: Yes, you can use both babel and polyglossia in the same document, but you will need to use the babel package with the iso option to use ISO language codes.

Q: How do I use the alias feature in Babel?

A: To use the alias feature in Babel, you can use the following syntax:

\babelprovide[import=<language code>, alias={<alias>}{<language code>}]{<language code>}

For example, to map the ISO language code da to the Babel language code dano, you would use:

\babelprovide[import=da, alias={da}{dano}]{da}

Q: What is the iso option in Babel?

A: The iso option in Babel tells the package to use ISO language codes instead of its internal language codes.

Q: How do I use the iso option in Babel?

A: To use the iso option in Babel, you can use the following syntax:

\usepackage[iso]{babel}
\babelprovide[import=<language code>]{<language code>}

For example, to use the ISO language code da in Babel, you would use:

\usepackage[iso]{babel}
\babelprovide[import=da]{da}

Q: What are the benefits of using polyglossia instead of babel?

A: The benefits of using polyglossia instead of babel include:

  • More flexibility and customization options
  • Support for more languages and language codes
  • Easier to use and more intuitive syntax
  • Better support for Unicode and other advanced features

Q: Can I use polyglossia with other LaTeX packages?

A: Yes, you can use polyglossia with other LaTeX packages, including babel, fontspec, and xetex.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with language codes in Babel?

A: To troubleshoot issues with language codes in Babel, you can try the following:

  • Check the Babel documentation for more information on language codes and their usage
  • Use the babel package with the iso option to use ISO language codes
  • Use the alias feature to map ISO language codes to Babel's internal language codes
  • Use the polyglossia package for more flexibility and customization options