Overview

The Belarusian Wikipedia refers to two separate Wikimedia projects written in the Belarusian language. One edition follows the modern official orthography widely used in the country, sometimes called Narkomovka and identified by the language code prefix be:. The other preserves the pre‑1933 classical orthography, known as Taraškievica, which appears under the prefix be‑x‑old:. Both aim to collect and share encyclopedic knowledge in Belarusian for readers and contributors at home and abroad.

Orthographies and editions

The two editions reflect different standardized spellings and editorial conventions. The edition in the official orthography uses the spelling standard adopted for contemporary Belarusian education and administration — see official orthography. The Taraškievica edition preserves the older norms, favored by some communities and diaspora groups as part of cultural and linguistic heritage. Both use Cyrillic script forms of Belarusian and address the same language but choose distinct editorial rules.

History and development

Both projects began in the early years of the global Wikimedia movement as volunteers created and expanded articles in Belarusian. Over time they developed separate editorial policies and local community practices to handle spelling, transliteration, and article titles. Contributors have built tools, templates, and guidance to reduce duplication and to help readers navigate between the two orthographic traditions.

Content, community, and features

Each edition hosts articles on general knowledge topics: history, geography, science, biographies, culture, and current affairs. The communities manage talk pages, editing guidelines, and local maintenance tasks. Contributors range from native speakers to scholars and hobbyists. Technical features common to both include interlanguage links, categorization systems, and Wikimedia's standard editing interface; different message translations and policy nuances reflect the chosen orthography. For information about the Belarusian language itself, see Belarusian language.

Importance and uses

These Wikimedia projects serve several roles: providing free reference material in Belarusian, supporting language learning, and preserving orthographic variants. Educators, students, and researchers consult articles; community members use the platforms to document regional culture and history. The existence of both orthographic editions demonstrates how written standards and cultural identity interact within an online knowledge project.

Distinctions and notable facts

  • Language codes: be: for the official orthography, be‑x‑old: for the classical Taraškievica edition.
  • Separate editorial norms mean article titles and spelling can differ even for the same topic.
  • Tools and conversion aids have been developed by volunteers to help readers compare or switch between orthographies.
  • Both editions contribute to the visibility and vitality of Belarusian on the internet; their existence highlights the role of digital platforms in language preservation and cultural expression. See also regional context at modern Belarus.