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Show Wikibase labels in user defined language in this Wikibase site if userlang URL parameter missing
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Description

Hi. There are many language difficulties in the extension, caused by the fact that it is the only Special page in Mediawiki that collects and shows a lot of data from multiple wikis that can use many languages. I still think that we need to continue with T272607: Add an ability for uselang as soon as possible. Just because a lot of users do not know what the uselang URL parameter is, and this special page is the only one that makes the need of it crucial. But there is no concensus on this, and the time runs. So, until there will be such a concensus or until we agree on something else on the language RfC I mentioned in T415458, which will take a lot of time, I present a new language improvement for the Wikibase labels following the just merged T415458: Apply quick fix for the Wikibase text direction problem which will improve the state a lot. Again, it can be here forever or removed if we decide on something better. Here is what I'm going to do.
The algorithm now:

  • The labels are shown on the current language of the Special page. Meaning, uselang, or user defined language for the wiki with the extension in preferences, or that wiki defined language, in this order.

The new algorithm:

  • If there is a uselang= in URL, use it as before.
  • Otherwise, use the language that the Wikibase site itself uses - user defined on this site, or wiki defined language if there isn't one. This is the language that the rest of the data from this Wikibase site uses, including formatted comments, and T415458 adjusted the watchlist visual for Wikibase for this language.

That's all. Starting now. Thank you.

Event Timeline

Restricted Application added a subscriber: Aklapper. · View Herald Transcript
IKhitron changed the task status from Open to In Progress.Feb 2 2026, 8:35 AM
IKhitron triaged this task as Medium priority.
IKhitron added a project: User-IKhitron.
IKhitron moved this task from Backlog to Coding on the User-IKhitron board.

Change #1235736 had a related patch set uploaded (by IKhitron; author: IKhitron):

[mediawiki/extensions/GlobalWatchlist@master] Use Wikibase site language for this site Wikibase labels if there is no URL uselang parameter

https://gerrit.wikimedia.org/r/1235736

Test wiki created on Patch demo by IKhitron using patch(es) linked to this task:
https://be8fcf6657.catalyst.wmcloud.org/w/

Change #1235736 merged by jenkins-bot:

[mediawiki/extensions/GlobalWatchlist@master] Use Wikibase site language for this site Wikibase labels if there is no URL uselang parameter

https://gerrit.wikimedia.org/r/1235736

IKhitron moved this task from In review to Merged on the User-IKhitron board.
IKhitron renamed this task from Show Wikibase labels in user defined language in this Wikibase site if userlang URL parameter missing for now to Show Wikibase labels in user defined language in this Wikibase site if userlang URL parameter missing.Thu, Feb 12, 7:50 AM

Test wiki on Patch demo by IKhitron using patch(es) linked to this task was deleted:

https://be8fcf6657.catalyst.wmcloud.org/w/