How To submenu:
How To Advanced Topics: Language |
Forms | Frames
End menu, begin content
Language Identification
|
2 of 4
|
Students Affected: 
Principles: Follow Web Standards
When you identify the language (or languages) used on your Web page, you tell 
screen readers which "accent" is needed to pronounce words correctly. This makes the content more understandable to students with visual impairments. Language identification is especially helpful when you switch languages on a page. For example, a Web page that supports a Spanish course may include English instructions and Spanish examples.
If You Do It Wrong: A screen reader reads all words according to its default pronunciation dictionary. Words from other languages are pronounced incorrectly.
Listen as a screen reader reads a bilingual paragraph using only the English dictionary.
(Links open in new windows.)
"Bonjour! Comment allez-vous?" is a typical French greeting. It means "Hello! How are you?" A common response to this greeting is "Je vais bien," which means "I'm doing well."
 Listen to the audio file. [Windows Media || RealOne]
 Read the transcript.
(Audio files require the free Windows Media Player or RealOne Player. Netscape users may experience problems with Windows Media files.) |
|
If You Do It Right: A screen reader switches dictionaries, pronunciation, and punctuation rules whenever it encounters a language change.
Listen as a screen reader reads a bilingual paragraph, switching between English and French dictionaries. (Links open in new windows.)
"Bonjour! Comment allez-vous?" is a typical French greeting. It means "Hello! How are you?" A common response to this greeting is "Je vais bien," which means "I'm doing well."
Listen to the audio file. [Windows Media || RealOne]
Read the transcript.
(Audio files require the free Windows Media Player or RealOne Player. Netscape users may experience problems with Windows Media files.) |
|
- Use the lang attribute on the <html> tag to identify the main language at the top of every Web page, even if it only includes one language.
- Use the lang attribute on the <span> tag to identify the language whenever it changes.
| Example |
<p><span lang="fr">Bonjour! Comment allez-vous?</span> is a typical French greeting. It means Hello, How are you?</p>
<p>A common response to this greeting is <span lang="fr">Je vais bien</span>, which means I'm doing well.</p> |
|
 |
You can find a list of language codes on the Library of Congress ISO 639.2 Web site. Some languages include both 2-letter and 3-letter codes. As a general rule, use the 2-letter code. The 3-letter code may be used if a 2-letter code is not available. |
|
© 1996-2005 University of Maryland University College • 3501 University Blvd. East, Adelphi, MD 20783 • USA
Phone: 800-888-UMUC (800-888-8682)
