Top Level Element: <language>
| Definition | A language associated with the entity described, e.g. the language used or spoken by a person or corporate body, the language in which a work is expressed. |
|---|---|
| Attributes | lang, xml:lang, script, transliteration, ID, xlink |
| Subelements | <languageTerm>, <scriptTerm> |
Guidelines for Use
<language> is a container element; the actual language value is recorded in the subelement <languageTerm>.
The subelement <languageOfCataloging> under <recordInfo> designates the language of the metadata record as a whole, while this <language> element designates the language associated with the <authority>.
<language> may also be expressed in conjunction with relevant MADS elements by means of the xml:lang and/or lang attributes to designate the language used in the metadata value; see the section on language in Attributes Used Throughout the MADS Schema for more information.
This element is optional and repeatable. If used, at least one subelement <languageTerm> must occur.
Element Description
Attributes
lang, xml:lang, script, transliteration, ID, xlink
See Attributes Used Throughout the MADS Schema for a description of each of these attributes.
Subelements
The following subelements are described below:
MARC Mapping
See mapping under subelement <languageTerm>.
Subelement of language: <languageTerm>
| Definition | Contains the textual or coded form for the language associated with the <authority>. |
|---|---|
| Attributes | type, authority, authorityURI, valueURI, lang, xml:lang, script, transliteration |
| Subelements | None |
Guidelines for Use
<languageTerm> may be expressed in textual or coded form. If expressed in coded form, the source of the code is contained in the value of the authority attribute. If no authority is given, it is assumed that the content is textual.
At least one instance of <languageTerm> is required if the <language> element is used.
This element is repeatable. If there is more than one representation of the same language, e.g. using different forms of the same language (code or text), <languageTerm> is repeated within the <language> container.
Element Description
Attributes
type
- text – This value is used to express language in a textual form.
- code – This value is used to express language in a coded form.
authority
- iso639-2b – A bibliographic language code from ISO 639-2, Codes for the representation of names of languages: alpha-3 code. The codes are identical to those in both ANSI/NISO Z39.53 and the MARC Code List for Languages.
- rfc3066 – A language identifier as specified by the Internet Best Current Practice specification RFC3066. This value includes an ISO 639-1 (alpha-2) or ISO 639-2 (alpha-3) language code with optional secondary subtags.
- iso639-3 – A language code from ISO 639-3, Codes for the representation of names of languages - Part 3: Alpha-3 code for comprehensive coverage of languages.
- rfc4646 – A language identifier as specified by the Internet Best Current Practice specification RFC4646. This document gives guidance on the use of ISO 639-1, ISO 639-2, and ISO 639-3 language identifiers with optional secondary subtags and extensions.
- rfc5646 – A language identifier as specified by the Internet Best Current Practice specification RFC5646. This document gives guidance on the use of ISO 639-1, ISO 639-2, and ISO 639-3 language identifiers with optional secondary subtags and extensions.
authorityURI, valueURI, lang, xml:lang, script, transliteration
See Attributes Used Throughout the MADS Schema for a description of each of these attributes.
Subelements
There are no subelements for <languageTerm>.
MARC Mapping
<languageTerm with type="code" authority="iso639-2b"> = MARC 21 Authority field 377 subfield a and no subfield 2
<languageTerm type="code" authority="content of subfield"> = MARC 21 Authority field 377 subfield a with subfield 2
See also MARC 21 Authority Format Mapping to MADS Schema.
Subelement of language: <scriptTerm>
| Definition | Contains a designation of the script(s) associated with the <auhtority>. |
|---|---|
| Attributes | type, authority, authorityURI, valueURI, lang, xml:lang, script, transliteration |
| Subelements | None |
Guidelines for Use
<scriptTerm> may be expressed in textual or coded form. If in coded form, the source of the code is contained in the value of the authority attribute. If no authority is given, it is assumed that the element content is textual.
The Library of Congress maintains an online listing: Script Code and Term Source Codes that can be used in the authority attribute of <scriptTerm>.
This element is optional and repeatable. If there is more than one representation of the same script (e.g., text and code), <scriptTerm> is repeated.
Element Description
Attributes
type
- text – This value is used to express script in a textual form.
- code – This value is used to express script in a coded form.
authority
authorityURI, valueURI, lang, xml:lang, script, transliteration
See Attributes Used Throughout the MADS Schema for a description of each of these attributes.
Subelements
There are no subelements for <scriptTerm>.
MARC Mapping
There is no MARC 21 Authority equivalent for <scriptTerm>.
EXAMPLES
Last Updated: April 24, 2012