Proposal
editHistory
editProbable history of the language. What language(s) it is derived from. Dates of movement of major groups of speakers, etc.
Dialects
editList of dialects of the language. Major dialects with lots of information should probably have their own page.
Derived languages
editCreoles and other languages that are derived from this language.
Historical sound changes
editDescription of important sound changes in the history of the language. (Maybe this should go under history?)
Vocabulary
editThis section should contain a discussion of any special features of the vocabulary (or lexicon) of the language, like if it contains a large number of borrowed words or a different sets of words for different politeness levels, taboo groups, etc.
Writing system
editBrief description of the writing system(s) used to write the language. Writing systems have their own page, so what's written here should just be a brief discussion of how this language makes any special use of the writing system and a link to all the writing systems used to write the language.
Examples
editSome short examples of the language in the writing system(s) used to write the language. You might also include sound samples of the language being spoken.
Thoughts
edit=== History === I guess this means I'll have to do some real research, for a change? ==== Dialects ==== None. Perhaps you could distinguish between the standard and vulgar languages, but that's stupid. The stark difference between South African and Maseru Sesotho and rural Lesotho Sesotho is a matter of accent and vocabulary imho. ==== Derived languages ==== Component of Tsotsi taal and Fanagalo, but these aren't "derived". ==== Historical sound changes ==== Might have to research this one...
=== Vocabulary === Contains a small vocabulary probably from the Khoisan langs, some words from Afrikaans, and a small number from French. The rapidly changing face of South Africa means it's also getting words from English and even more exotic European langs. Obviously it shares a very large number of words with other Kintu langs... No real taboo words. No special vocabulary for different levels of politeness (just use common sense respect).
=== Writing systems === No prizes for guessing which writing system it uses. Perhaps the difference between LS and SAS could be put here.
=== Examples === Perhaps I'll recite a short poem of mine? Then I'll have to master it, convert it to ogg Vorbis, figure out how to upload it... Or do they simply want "Hello"/"Thank you"/"Cut my grass properly this time or I'll fire you and get another garden boy"?