The old discussion that Michael refers to (below), was initiated through a submission from Mr Gérard Lang in September 2005, proposing to add the alpha-2 identifier "tu" to the previously assigned alpha-3 identifier "tet". There was a formal ballot (initiated on 2006-01-15), which was unanimous to reject the addition of the alpha-2 identifier. The result of the ballot was published on 2006-03-26.

The main reason relates to the "freeze" issue: "tet" was already in use; the addition of "tu" would be contrary to our policy (rule, promise) not to add alpha-2 identifiers to items where there is already existing data that uses alpha-3 identifiers.

Best regards,
Håvard

--------------------
Håvard Hjulstad
  (prosjektleder / Project Manager)
  Standard Norge / Standards Norway
  [log in to unmask]
--------------------

-----Opprinnelig melding-----
Fra: ISO 639 Joint Advisory Committee [mailto:[log in to unmask]] På vegne av Michael Everson
Sendt: 15. april 2011 09:06
Til: [log in to unmask]
Emne: Re: New ISO 639 proposal - Tetum - Discussion

Was it rejected? On what grounds?

On 8 Nov 2005, at 16:16, Håvard Hjulstad wrote:

> Dear JAC members,
> 
> The request below is actually for adding an alpha-2 identifier (ISO 639-1) to an item which already has an alpha-3 identifier in ISO 639-2. The Malayo-Polynesian language Tetum has had the identifier tet since publication of ISO 639-2 in 1998.
> 
> The reason for requesting an alpha-2 identifier is that the language has official status in East Timor.
> 
> The requested alpha-2 identifier (tu) is available.
> 
> Discussion please (until 2005-12-02).
> 
> Best regards,
> Håvard Hjulstad
> (secretary ISO 639 RA-JAC)
> 
> 
> ********** Submission: ***********
> 
> This data was submitted on: Thursday, September 29, 2005 at 11:01:31
> 
> lang_in_eng = Tetum
> lang_in_fre = tetum
> ref_where_found_1 = ISO 639-2
> lang_in_vern = tetun
> ref_where_found_2 =
> trans_lit =
> evidence = As this language is already in ISO 639-2, it is clear that there is sufficient evidence to introduce it in ISO 639-1, which is necessary because it has an official status in East Timor (see Ethnologue for axample)
> addinfo = See Ethnologue for example
> request_addition = ISO 639-1 and ISO 639-2
> 2_code_suggestion = tu
> 3_code_suggestion = tet
> submit_name = Lang Gérard
> submit_email = [log in to unmask]
> submit_status = Convenor of ISO/TC 46/WG 2
> 
> 
> 
> 

Michael Everson * http://www.evertype.com/