Top-level Element: <language>
| Element | <language> |
|---|---|
| Definition | A designation of the language in which the content of a resource is expressed. |
| Attributes | usage; objectPart; displayLabel; altRepGroup; lang; xml:lang; script; transliteration |
| Subelements | <languageTerm> <scriptTerm> |
GUIDELINES | EXAMPLES | MAPPINGS
GUIDELINES FOR USE
<language> is a container element; the actual language values are recorded in the subelement <languageTerm>.
If the content of the resource is in more than one language, the objectPart attribute for <language> is used and the <language> element is repeated.
<language> may also be expressed in conjunction with each element in a MODS encoding 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 MODS Schema for more information.
The subelement <languageOfCataloging> under <recordInfo> is used to give the language of the metadata in the record as a whole. It designates the language of the metadata record, while this <language> element designates the language of the resource.
Specific DLF/Aquifer Guidelines
The DLF/Aquifer Implementation Guidelines for Shareable MODS Records require at least one <language> element for all resources in which language is primary to understanding the resource. These resources include textual resources, as well as audio and video resources with spoken word components. Although <language> is usually not required for non-textual resources such as images, it could be used effectively for such resources when language is a primary component. Examples of the latter might include a photograph of a sign with text or a monument with an inscription.
The <language> element is optional for resources in which language is important to understanding the resource, but not primary. For example, the caption of a photograph may in some instances be important to understanding the photograph, but not primary. Whether to include a <language> element based on the language's importance or primacy is left to the data provider's discretion. Repeat the <language> element as necessary.
See the <language> entry in the DLF/Aquifer Summary of MODS Requirements and Recommendations table for further information on requirements of this element, its attributes, and subelements.
Language is discussed as a general class of element in the "Language" section of the DLF/NSDL Best Practices for Shareable Metadata 
.
Aggregator information: <language> is a primary descriptive element and is used for narrowing search results.
Element Description
Attributes
usage
objectPart
The values of this attribute are not controlled, although it is preferable that institutions use consistent forms.
altRepGroup; lang; xml:lang; script; transliteration; displayLabel
See the Attributes used throughout the schema for description for each.
Subelements
The following subelement is described below:
Subelement: <languageTerm>
| Definition | Contains the textual or coded form for the language of the content of the resource. |
|---|---|
| Attributes | type; authority; authorityURI; valueURI; lang; xml:lang; script; transliteration |
| Subelements | None |
Guidelines for Use
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.
If there is more than one representation of the same language, e.g. using different forms of the same language (code or text) or from different authorities, <languageTerm> is repeated within the <language> container.
Specific DLF/Aquifer Guidelines
The DLF/Aquifer Implementation Guidelines for Shareable MODS Records require at least one pair of <languageTerm> elements representing the primary language of the text contained in a single <language> element. One of these <languageTerm> elements should carry the attribute type="text" and the other should have type="code". Additional pairs of <languageTerm> elements representing secondary languages may be included in separate <language> elements.
These DLF/Aquifer guidelines require using the value "iso639-2b" for the authority attribute in the <languageTerm> element that contains the attribute type="code". Do not use an authority attribute in the <languageTerm> element that contains the attribute type="text".
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 bibliographic language codes are identical to both ANSI/NISO Z39.53, Codes for the Representation of Languages for Information Interchange 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. RFC5646 has superceded RFC4646.
authorityURI
valueURI
lang; xml:lang; script; transliteration
See the Attributes used throughout the schema for description for each.
Subelements
There are no subelements for <languageTerm>.
Subelement <scriptTerm>
| Definition | Contains the script(s) of the resource. |
|---|---|
| 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.
If there is more than one representation of the same script (e.g., text and code), <scriptTerm> is repeated. If the resource is in more than one script, <languageOfCataloging> 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
Subelements
There are no subelements for <scriptTerm>.
EXAMPLES
<languageTerm type="code" authority="iso639-2b">fre</languageTerm>
An XSLT stylesheet could be applied to transform this code to:
Language: French
<languageTerm type="code" objectPart="caption" authority="iso639-2b">eng</languageTerm>
This resource is a Persian/English dictionary:
This resource contains both English and French text:
<language>
This resource contains text in Egyptian Arabic, which is coded as an individual language in ISO 639-3:
<language>
This resource contains text in Navajo:
This record gives the language of the resource in two languages and a code and also indicates the script of the resource:
MAPPINGS
MARC Mapping (Bibliographic)
<languageTerm> = MARC 21 fields 008/35-37 or 041 with various subfields, depending on the attribute used.
See also MARC Mapping to MODS for the <language> element.
Dublin Core Mapping
The MODS to Dublin Core Metadata Element Set Mapping recommends mapping the contents of the <language> element to <dc:language>. These guidelines further recommend mapping each subelement <languageTerm> to a distinct <dc:language> element.
MODS examples expressed in Dublin Core:
<dc:language>fre</dc:language>
<dc:language>English</dc:language>
<dc:language>eng</dc:language>
Last Updated: March 1, 2013