3.4 Identify the primary language of the document text
Contents
WAI Checkpoint 4.3
Full WAI text: "Identify the primary natural language of a document." Natural language refers to spoken, written or signed languages, such as English, Irish, Irish Sign Language and Braille. The predominant natural language of a web page should be identified in the underlying HTML of the page.
Rationale
Speech synthesisers and Braille devices need to know the natural language so they can pronounce the words on the page correctly. Failing to identify the natural language could cause these devices to mispronounce the information making it impossible to understand.
Identifying the natural language also facilitates automated translators - software or machines - which can read the content of the page and translate it into another language.
Directions and Techniques
Identify the primary natural language in the underlying HTML
See WAI recommended techniques for identifying natural language
Use the correct codes for identifying natural languages
Refer to the ISO list of codes for natural languages
How you could check for this:
Test the page with a screen reader or audio browser
Before you run this test, you will need to ensure that the screen reader or audio browser supports the natural language you are testing. If it does, you can test for that language. If not, this test is not reliable. Also ensure that any required dictionaries are installed in the software you use for this test.
Guidelines for Web Accessibility - Priority 3- 3.1 Ensure that text and background have sufficient contrast for people with colour deficient vision
- 3.2 Provide text links to emulate client-side image maps
- 3.3 Expand the first occurrence of any abbreviation or acronym
- 3.4 Identify the primary language of the document text
- 3.5 Place distinguishing information at the beginning of headings, paragraphs, lists, etc.
- 3.6 Supplement text with graphic or auditory presentations where they will facilitate comprehension
- 3.7 Provide summaries for tables
- 3.8 Provide abbreviations for table header labels
- 3.9 Identify groups of related links and provide a way to bypass them
- 3.10 Provide a linear alternative for parallel, word-wrapped columns of text
- 3.11 Create a logical tab order through links, form controls, and objects
- 3.12 Provide keyboard shortcuts to important links, form controls, and groups of form controls
- 3.13 Separate adjacent links with non-link, printable characters surrounded by spaces
- 3.14 Provide navigation bars
- 3.15 If search functions are provided, enable different types of searches for different skill levels and preferences
- 3.16 Provide information about documents comprising multiple pages
- 3.17 Provide a means to skip over multi-line ASCII art
- 3.18 Create a style of presentation that is consistent across pages
- 3.19 Include default text in form text boxes
- 3.20 Provide information to enable users to receive documents according to their preferences
