http://webdosanddonts.com/dont-use-flags-to-indicate-a-language

http://www.jankoatwarpspeed.com/post/2008/10/27/You-should-never-use-flags-for-language-choice.aspx

https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Languages#I_wish_to_use_my_country.27s_flag_to_refer_to_my_language...

There are many languages not associated with countries or in use in many different countries. Also, some flags are considered very political, and are thus very controversial. For example, the government of mainland China (People’s Republic of China) bans software that includes the Taiwanese (Republic of China) flag, and many muslim people frown upon the Israeli flag. Also, new governments sometimes change flags, which is sometimes resisted and hated by some patriotic circles who preferred the previous government.

In short, don’t use flags (for either countries or languages). They are politically dangerous. Avoid them at all costs (well, unless your application is an education application teaching about flags or something).

To refer to languages, use one of these (or a combination):

* The RFC 3066 /ISO 639 code for the language.
* The English name for the language.
* The native name for the language.