This template is a shortcut for properly expanding a language code to the full English-language name. It does not expand appendix-only language codes; if you need that, use {{languagex}}.

The first (and only) parameter is mandatory, and should be a language code.

A valid language code will return the name of the language
{{language|fr}}
An invalid language code will return a redlink to the template
{{language|qqq}}
A blank parameter gives a blank output
{{language|}}