ISO 639 is an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for the representation of the world's languages and language groups using standardized codes. It plays a crucial role in information management, linguistics, publishing, computing, and localization by providing unique identifiers for languages that overcome the challenges posed by multiple names or similar names for different languages.
The standard covers four main sets of language identifiers:
Set 1 (ISO 639-1): Two-letter codes for major, mostly national individual languages. These codes are widely used for general purposes such as website language settings and user interface languages.
Set 2 (ISO 639-2): Three-letter codes for a larger number of individual languages, encompassing all languages in Set 1 plus additional languages and some language groups. This set is commonly used in libraries and bibliographic applications.
Set 3 (ISO 639-3): Three-letter codes that cover all known individual languages, including living, extinct, and ancient languages. It provides a more exhaustive coding system designed primarily for use in computerized systems and linguistic research.
Set 5 (ISO 639-5): Three-letter codes for language families and groups, covering broader classifications of related languages, both living and extinct.
These codes are indispensable in many contexts, including large-scale digital communication, database management, multilingual software development, and cataloging by libraries and information centers. Their use ensures a consistent, compact, and language-neutral way to refer to languages, essential for interoperability and accurate language recognition worldwide.
ISO 639 codes are maintained dynamically through coordination with specifically delegated Language Coding Agencies, including the International Information Centre for Terminology (Infoterm), the Library of Congress, and SIL International. The codes are freely available for use, providing a global standard that supports diverse linguistic and cultural identities while also facilitating technological and informational integration.
Learn more:
https://www.iso.org/iso-639-language-code