* Are used as proper nouns:
* This means they refer to a specific language, not just the concept of language in general.
* Examples: "I'm learning French." "She speaks fluent Spanish."
* Appear in a title:
* This applies to book titles, article titles, etc.
* Examples: "The English Language" "Spanish for Beginners"
* Are part of a person's ethnicity or nationality:
* Examples: "She is Chinese." "He is an American citizen."
* Are part of a geographical name:
* Examples: "The French Riviera" "The English Channel"
Do not capitalize languages when:
* They are used as common nouns:
* This means they are not referring to a specific language, but rather the concept of language in general.
* Examples: "She learned a new language." "They are speaking different languages."
* They are used in a general sense:
* Examples: "The romance languages" "The indo-european languages"
Here are some additional points to keep in mind:
* Consistency is key: Once you choose a style, be consistent throughout your writing.
* Check your style guide: Different style guides may have different rules regarding capitalization of languages.
I hope this explanation is helpful!