Babel templates allow users to provide some information about the languages they use and their level of proficiency. The use of these templates also puts the user in appropriate language categories, so other users can find them.
Examples of Babel Templates
For example, a user who is fluent in English and can use it as a native speaker would use the template {{User en}} on his or her user page, or, when using this central template locally, {{wikia:User en}}. The template would look like
Template:User en
A user who wanted to indicate a lower (non-native equivalent) level of ability would use one of levels (0 not understand, 1 basic, 2 intermediate or 3 advanced). For example, someone with only a very basic level of Spanish ability would use the template {{User es-1}}:
Template:User es-1
Language Levels
The templates are in the format {{User language&level}} where "language&level" is the two/three letter code for the language. (See Wikipedia:ISO_639 if you don't already know it.) When no level is specified, it indicates someone is fluent at the level of a native speaker (Sometimes the letter N is used to indicate this native level of ability). The levels of ability are
- xx-0 the user does not understand this language
- xx-1 for basic command (the ability to understand and answer simple questions in the language)
- xx-2 for an intermediate level of knowledge
- xx-3 for advanced or fluent understanding (the ability to correct spelling and grammar errors in the language)
- xx or xx-N for native or equivalent
Adding Babel Templates to Your User Page
- Pick the templates (language and level) that describe your ability best
- Go to your user page and edit it
- Add the appropriate command to your user page
You may want to put the template labels together in a box. Examples:
| Template:User enTemplate:User es-1Template:User jaTemplate:User de-2Template:User urTemplate:User zh-0Template:User fr-2Template:User idTemplate:User en-3Template:User de-0 |
Adding the templates will also add your user page to the appropriate language categories.
Copying Templates to Wikia
If the template for the language and level you want has not been created on the Central Wikia yet, copy it over from another Wikimedia site. (There are links to some under "more information" below.) Create the equivalent template here. For example, copy the contents from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Template:User_de-1 to http://www.wikia.com/wiki/Template:User_de-1 to create the template for basic German speakers.