041 Language Code (NR) (Variable Data Field)
Field 041 contains three-character MARC alphabetic codes for languages associated with an item when field 008/35-37 (Language) is insufficient to convey full information for a multilingual item or an item that involves translation. The source of the codes is MARC Code List for Languages that is maintained by the Library of Congress.
The languages may also be recorded in textual form in field 546 (Language Note) .
Field 041 is used in conjunction with 008/35-37 (Language):
If 008/35-37 does not contain all blanks (###), the code in 008/35-37 is
also recorded as the first code in subfield $a
of field 041.
If 008/35-37 contains all blanks and field 041 is being used, e.g., to
record the language code(s) of accompanying material, no subfield $a
is present.
Field 041 is used when one or more of the following conditions exist:
The item contains more than one language, one of which may be a sign language
The item is or includes a translation
The language of the summaries, abstracts, or accompanying material differs
from the language of the main item
The language of a table of contents differs from the language of the main
item.
For computer files, field 041 is used to record codes for languages
associated with the data and/or user interface (e.g., screen
displays).
This field is not used to code for machine languages (e.g., COBOL)
or character codes (e.g., ASCII).
Information about machine-languages is recorded in field 538
(System Details Note) .
For audiovisual materials, field 041 is used with motion pictures,
filmstrips, slides, transparencies, and videorecordings when one or more
of the following conditions exist:
The sound track has different language versions
The accompanying sound (discs, tapes, etc.) has different language versions
The overprinted titles (subtitles) or separate titles for silent films
are in different languages
The sound accompanying a work is in one language and the same text is printed
on the work in the form of overprinted titles in another language
The accompanying printed script for works with no sound or, if with sound,
no narration, is in different languages
The medium of communication includes sign language.
For original or historical projectable graphic material, opaque graphic
material, and three-dimensional material, this field is used
when one or more of the following conditions exist:
The language associated with the material, that is, captions or other text
associated with the item or collection that are part of the chief source
of information, is multilingual
The language of the accompanying material differs from the language associated
with the item or collection.
The National level record requirement for this field is Mandatory if applicable.
Field 041 is NOT repeatable .
Guidelines for applying content designators:
For indicator and subfield code definitions and examples, National-level (NLR) and Minimal-level (MLR) record requirements , and designator repeatability , see table below:
| Position | Description |
NLR |
MLR |
Repeatability |
| Field 041 | Language Code |
A |
O |
NR |
| Indicator: | ||||
| First | Translation indication |
M |
||
| 0 | Item not a translation or does not include a translation |
A |
||
| 1 | Item is or includes a translation |
A |
||
| Second | Undefined; contains a blank |
M |
||
| Subfield code: | ||||
| $a | Language
code of text/sound track or separate title
for Computer files, Music,
|
M A |
O |
NR |
| $b | Language code of summary or abstract/overprinted title or subtitle |
A |
O |
NR |
| $d | Language code of sung or spoken text |
A |
O |
NR |
| $e | Language code of librettos |
A |
O |
NR |
| $f | Language code of table of contents |
O |
O |
NR |
| $g | Language code of accompanying material other than librettos |
A |
O |
NR |
| $h | Language code of original and/or intermediate translations of text |
A |
O |
R |
| $6 | Linkage |
A |
O |
NR |
| $8 | Field link and sequence number |
O |
O |
R |
First Indicator - Translation indication
Value # - Undefined
(AM MP VM) [obsolete]:
In 1993 the first indicator (with
values 0 and 1) was defined in the archival and manuscripts
control, maps, and visual materials specifications
. First indicator value # (blank) meaning undefined
was made obsolete.
Subfields $a - Language
code of text/soundtrack or separate title
$c - Languages of separate titles (VM) [obsolete]
$c - Languages of available translation (SE) [obsolete]
In the specifications for books, music, serials, and mixed materials, subfield $a was redefined to exclude languages of the original and/or intermediate translations of text when subfield $h was defined for this information in 1980. For example, prior to 1980 for an item having text in English, translated from French, subfield $a was coded "engfre" (first indicator value 1).
In the visual materials specifications, subfield $c was made obsolete in this field when subfield $a was redefined to include languages of separate titles in 1972. Prior to that time, subfield $a was used only for languages on a soundtrack.
In the serials specifications, subfield $c was made obsolete in 1977. The language code of a related work is contained in subfield $e of field 775 (Other Edition Entry) .
Related MARC fields or documents:
880 Alternate Graphic Representation
See also:
