[pwinnski]

It has already taken multiple clicks for users wanting to read English Wikipedia in a language that wasn't one of the nine in the sidebar. In fact, clicking the "287 more" link at the bottom of the left sidebar in the old design brought up the exact same box that clicking the "297 languages" link at the top of the new design does, with the same list of languages in the same order.

Alternatively, one could create an account and set a default language, or visit a wikipedia site dedicated to that language.

https://en.wikipedia.org vs https://zh.wikipedia.org for example.

Once you've switched, further links within the site should keep you in that language.

[rhn_mk1]

I've always seen all the language links in the sidebar without clicking anything. I can see how, if you have had a different experience, the new arrangement might seem less of a disruption.

[pwinnski]

Wow! So if you go to this page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia?useskin=vector

You see something different from this? https://ibb.co/pKbgw6w

Are you logged in, perhaps?

[rhn_mk1]

Not logged in.

This is the first link: https://paste.pics/dca5897542c8fb939608262307aeafed

Many thanks for the query workaround!

[pwinnski]

Fascinating! Thanks.

[rhn_mk1]

I'm guessing the difference is due to disabled JS in my browser.