diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4b9b12f254..e14f66c7fc 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -66,10 +66,15 @@ We would love to hear from the larger community: please provide feedback proacti
 ## Requirements
 
 Unless otherwise noted, all published artifacts support Java 8 or higher.
+See [language version compatibility](VERSIONING.md#language-version-compatibility) for complete
+details.
 
-**Android Disclaimer:** For compatibility reasons, [library desugaring](https://developer.android.com/studio/write/java8-support#library-desugaring) must be enabled.
+**Android Disclaimer:** For compatibility
+reasons, [library desugaring](https://developer.android.com/studio/write/java8-support#library-desugaring)
+must be enabled.
 
-See [CONTRIBUTING.md](./CONTRIBUTING.md) for additional instructions for building this project for development.
+See [CONTRIBUTING.md](./CONTRIBUTING.md) for additional instructions for building this project for
+development.
 
 ### Note about extensions
 
diff --git a/VERSIONING.md b/VERSIONING.md
index 9d2ad3af3c..d0bf9a7914 100644
--- a/VERSIONING.md
+++ b/VERSIONING.md
@@ -61,6 +61,21 @@ you do not use classes in the `internal` package (which you MUST NOT do), you ca
 your app will always function and have access to the latest features of OpenTelemetry without needing
 any changes to code.
 
+## Language Version Compatibility
+
+The artifacts published by this codebase are compatible with certain language levels of tooling in
+the Java ecosystem. For example, all artifacts (except where otherwise noted) support Java language
+level 8 or higher, and the many artifacts intended to be used in Android environments adhere to a
+particular [Android API level](https://developer.android.com/tools/releases/build-tools). The
+following table defines the minimum language levels we adhere to, and how each is considered with
+respect to semantic versioning.
+
+| Language | Minimum Version                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | Applicability                                           | Semconv Notes                                                                                                                                                                      |
+|----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
+| Java     | 8+                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | All artifacts, unless otherwise noted                   | Changing requires major version bump.                                                                                                                                              |
+| Android  | 21+ (NOTE: [desugaring](https://developer.android.com/studio/write/java8-support#library-desugaring) is required. We stay up to date with the latest version of [desugar_jdk_libs](https://github.com/google/desugar_jdk_libs).) | Artifacts using `otel.animalsniffer-conventions` plugin | Kept in sync with minimum requirements for [Google Play services](https://developers.google.com/android/guides/setup). Subject to change in minor version.                         |
+| Kotlin   | 1.6+                                                                                                                                                                                                                             | Only applies to `opentelemetry-extension-kotlin`        | Kept in sync with [minimum non-deprecated](https://kotlinlang.org/docs/gradle-compiler-options.html#attributes-common-to-jvm-and-js) version. Subject to change in minor versions. |
+
 ## API vs SDK
 
 This codebase is broadly split into two large pieces, the OpenTelemetry API and the OpenTelemetry SDK,