546 Language Note

Field definition and scope:

Field 546 contains textual information on the language or notation system used to convey the content of the described materials. A description of the alphabet, script, or other symbol system (e.g., arabic alphabet, ASCII, musical notation system, bar code, logarithmic graphing) may also be included, but for musical notation system terms, prefer field 348 (Notated Music Characteristics). Coded language information is contained in fields 008/35-37 (Language) and/or 041 (Language Code).

The National level record requirement for this field is Optional.

Field 546 is 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 546	Language Note	O	O	R
Indicator:
First	Undefined; contains a blank	M
Second	Undefined; contains a blank	M

Subfield code:
$a	Language note	A	O	NR
$b	Information code or alphabet	O	O	R
$3	Materials specified	O	O	NR
$6	Linkage	A	O	NR
$8	Field link and sequence number	O	O	R

Input conventions:

Punctuation

Content designator history:

Subfield $z - Source of note information (SE) [obsolete]: Subfield $z was made obsolete in 1990. Source information is included as part of the language note in subfield $a or of the information code or alphabet note in subfield $b.