WikiConference India 2011/Submissions/Native language transliterations in English Wikipedia articles

Timestamp
18:56, 20 August 2011 (UTC)
Title of the submission

Native language transliterations in English Wikipedia articles

Type of submission (workshop, tutorial, or presentation)

Presentation

Author of the submission

Swaroop G Rao (MikeLynch)

E-mail address or username (if username, please confirm email address in Special:Preferences)

raul.swaroop@gmail.com

State of your origin (Country, if you are not based in India)

Bangalore, Karnataka

Affiliation, if any (organization, company etc.)

Member of Wikimedia India Chapter

Personal homepage or blog

Personal blog

Abstract (maximum 500 words)

In English Wikipedia articles, articles with strong non-English connections usually carry a transliteration (along with pronunciation) in the language of origin. Since I started editing Wikipedia, I have been in, and have seen many disputes regarding these transliterations. This presentation will focus primarily on these transliterations, exploring many possible points of view into the problem. Since India is a large country of over 28 states and 22 official languages (and hundreds of other recognized languages), we can expect this problem to be more pronounced in Indian articles. And not surprisingly, it is so. This is a contentious issue many a times; and more often than not, regional polarization occurs, even among established editors. I will speak about looking into these problems objectively, and in the meantime, also looking into possible solutions. Along the way, I will also present some case studies of contentious discussions/edit wars which have already taken place.


Track (Community/Knowledge/Outreach/Technology)

Community


Will you attend Wikiconference if your submission is not accepted?

Yes, provided my scholarship application is successful.


Slides or further information (optional)
In a month's time.