This list includes individual codes for most of the major languages of the modern and ancient world, e.g., Arabic, Chinese, English, Hindi, Latin, Tagalog, etc.  These are the languages that are most frequently represented in the total body of the world's literature.  Additional codes for individual languages are created from time to time when it becomes apparent that a significant body of literature in a particular language already exists, or when it is determined that the amount of material in a language is growing.

Usually only one code is provided for a given language, even if that language can be written in more than one set of characters.  In a few cases however, separate codes are provided for the same spoken language written in different characters.

See also:

Introduction

MARC Code List for Languages:  Contents