Cataloger's Reference Shelf
MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data
Cataloger's Reference Shelf
MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data
008/35 - 37 All materials |
Language (Variable Control Field - Fixed-Length Data Element)
|
Character position definition and scope:
The Language of the item is indicated by a three-character alphabetic MARC code.
The code is an authoritative-agency data element taken from the MARC Code List for Languages that is maintained by the Library of Congress. Choice of a MARC code is based on the predominant language of the item.
Three fill characters ( ||| ) may be used if no attempt is made to code the language or if non-MARC language coding is preferred (and coded in field 041 (Language Code)).
National-level and Minimal-level record requirements for positions 008/35-37 for all types of material are Mandatory.
Validity by material type: Valid for all types.
Guidelines for applying content designators:
For language material
(i.e., books
and continuing
resources), the language code is based on the text of the item. The
term text refers
to the principle work(s) included within the publication, excluding the
preface, introduction, foreword, appendices, etc.
For computer files,
the language associated with the data
and/or the user interface (e.g.,
textual displays, audible output in a language) determines the code used
in 008/35-37, not the programming language. (Accompanying documentation
in a language other than that of the data and/or user interface is coded
in field 041.)
For maps, the language
of names and text associated with the map or globe determines the code
used.
For music, the predominant
language of the sung or spoken text associated with the score or sound
recording is recorded in 008/35-37.
For visual materials,
coding depends on the type of material. For
moving image materials, the language content is defined as the sound track,
the accompanying sound, or sign language. For moving image materials
with no sound or sign language content or, if with sound, no narration,
use zxx
(no linguistic content). For filmstrips and
slides, code for the text on the film, the accompanying sound or the accompanying
printed script (for works with no sound or, if with sound, no narration).
For all other still images, including original or historical graphic
material and opaque and non-opaque graphic material, and three-dimensional
materials, the language content is that associated with the material,
i.e., captions or other text associated with the item or collection that
are part of the chief source of information.
For mixed materials,
the language code is based on the predominant language of an item or materials
in a collection.
When only one language is associated with
an item, the code for that language is recorded.
If more than one language code is applicable,
the code for the predominant language is recorded in 008/35-37, and the
codes for all of the languages, including the predominant language, are
recorded in field 041 (Language Code). The code recorded in 008/35-37
is always the same as the language code recorded in the first occurrence
of subfields $a or $d
(for sound recordings).
If there is no predominant language, the language
codes are recorded in English alphabetical order in field 041, and the
first one is recorded in 008/35-37.
When formulating a bibliographic record for
a translation, the code for the
language of the translation, not the
language of the original, is given in 008/35-37. (The code
for the language of the original is recorded in subfield $h
of field 041.)
Special codes:
Code: |
Description: |
### |
|
zxx |
|
mul |
|
sgn |
|
und |
Prior to 2006, three blanks
(###) were used to indicate that
the item has no sung, spoken or written text. Code zxx
(No linguistic content) was added at that time to indicate this situation
and three blanks were redefined as No
information provided.
Related MARC fields or documents:
See also:
