041  Language Code (R)  (Variable Data Field)

Field definition and scope:

Field 041 contains codes for languages associated with an item when the language code in field 008/35-37 (Language) of the record is insufficient to convey full information.  This includes records for multilingual items, items that involve translation, and items where the medium of communication is a sign language.  The source of the codes is MARC Code List for Languages that is maintained by the Library of Congress or other code lists, such as ISO 639-1 (Codes for the representation of names of languages-- Part 1: alpha-2 code).

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 there is a code in 008/35-37, it is recorded as the first code in subfields $a or $d (for sound recordings) of field 041.

If 008/35-37 contains all blanks (No information provided) or the code "zxx" (No linguistic content) and field 041 is being used, e.g., to record the language code(s) of accompanying material, no subfield $a or $d is present.

If only a non-MARC code is used to express the predominant language in an item, field 008/35-37 is coded with three fill characters ( ||| ).

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.

Field 041 may also be used to express the original language of the work.

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.

Field 041 may also be used to record additional language-related information about written or original languages on motion pictures and videorecordings.

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 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:

Input conventions:

Capitalization

Content designator history:

In 2001:  The practice of placing multiple language codes in one subfield, e.g., $aengfreger, was made obsolete and subfields $a, $b, $d, $e, $f, and $g were changed from Not repeatable (NR) to Repeatable (R).  Field 041 was also changed from Not repeatable (NR) to Repeatable (R) to accommodate non-MARC language codes.

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.

Value # - No information provided  [new, 2008]

Second Indicator - Source of code  [new, 2001]:  Prior to 2001, indicator 2 was undefined, but the field was specified to contain a MARC language code.  Thus, value # prior to 2001 can be interpreted as the current # value:  MARC language code.

Subfields  $a - Language code of text/soundtrack or separate title  [redefined, 1980]

$b - Language code for summary, abstract, or subtitles  [renamed, 2005]

$b - Language code of summary or abstract  [renamed, 2007]

$c - Languages of separate titles  (VM)  [obsolete, 1972]

$c - Languages of available translation  (SE)  [obsolete, 1977]

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).

Subfield $g - Language code of accompanying material other than librettos  [renamed, 2019]

Subfield $h - Language code of original and/or intermediate translations of text  [redefined, 2011]

Subfield $i - Language code of intertitles  [new, 2019]:  Prior to the definition of subfield $i in 2019, intertitles for silent films were recorded in subfield $j.

Subfield $j  - Language code of subtitles or captions  [new, 2007]

Subfield $j  - Language code of subtitles or captions  [renamed, 2018] [redescribed, 2018]:  Prior to the definition of subfield $p in 2018, captions intended for users with hearing disabilities were recorded in subfield $j.

Subfield $k - Language code of intermediate translations  [new, 2011]

Subfield $m - Language code of original accompanying materials other than librettos  [new, 2011]

Subfield $n - Language code of original libretto  [new, 2011]

Subfield $p - Language code of captions  [new, 2018]

Subfield $q - Language code of accessible audio  [new, 2018]

Subfield $r - Language code of accessible visual language (non-textual)  [new, 2018]

Subfield $t - Language code of accompanying transcripts for audiovisual materials [new, 2019]

Subfield $2 - Source of code  [new, 2001]

Related MARC fields or documents:

008/35-37  Language

500  General Note

538  System Details Note

546  Language Note

880  Alternate Graphic Representation

Codes for the representation of names of languages - Part 1: alpha-2 code (ISO 639-1)

MARC Code List for Languages

Source Codes for Vocabularies, Rules, and Schemes:

Language Code and Term Source Codes

See also:

0XX  Numbers and Codes

Variable Data Fields