Contents Fixed field Access points 0xx 1xx 2xx 3xx 4xx 5xx 6xx 7xx 8xx 9xx Control subfields

041 Language Code (R)

Record Type
BIB
Input Standards
Field (Full/Minimal)
Required if applicable/Optional
1st Indicator Translation indication
	No information provided.
0	Item not a translation/does not include a translation
1	Item is or includes a translation
2nd Indicator Source of code
	MARC language code
7	Source specified in subfield ǂ2
Subfields (R=Repeatable NR=Nonrepeatable)		Input Standards (Full/Minimal)
ǂa	Language code of text/sound track or separate title (R)	Required if applicable/Required if applicable
ǂb	Language code of summary or abstract (R)	Required if applicable/Required if applicable
ǂd	Language code of sung or spoken text (R)	Required if applicable/Required if applicable
ǂe	Language code of librettos (R)	Required if applicable/Required if applicable
ǂf	Language code of table of contents (R)	Optional/Optional
ǂg	Language code of accompanying material other than librettos and transcripts (R)	Required if applicable/Required if applicable
ǂh	Language code of original (R)	Required if applicable/Required if applicable
ǂi	Language code of intertitles (R)	Required if applicable/Required if applicable
ǂj	Language code of subtitles (R)	Required if applicable/Required if applicable
ǂk	Language code of intermediate translations (R)	Required if applicable/Required if applicable
ǂm	Language code of original accompanying materials other than librettos (R)	Required if applicable/Required if applicable
ǂn	Language code of original libretto (R)	Required if applicable/Required if applicable
ǂp	Language code of captions (R)	Required if applicable/Required if applicable
ǂq	Language code of accessible audio (R)	Required if applicable/Required if applicable
ǂr	Language code of accessible visual language (non-textual) (R)	Required if applicable/Required if applicable
ǂt	Language code of accompanying transcripts for audiovisual materials (R)	Required if applicable/Required if applicable
ǂ2	Source of code (NR)	Required if applicable/Required if applicable
ǂ6	Linkage (NR)	System supplied/System supplied
ǂ7	Data provenance (R)	Optional/Optional
ǂ8	Field link and sequence number (R)	Optional/Optional

Definition

The codes for the languages associated with an item when the fixed-field element Lang is insufficient to convey full information for multilingual items, items that are translations, or items where a medium of communication is a sign language.

The language codes found in schemes listed in Language Code and Term Source Codes may be used in field 041. OCLC prefers the use of MARC codes as found in MARC Code List for Languages. You may repeat 041 to include MARC codes if you use non-MARC codes. Note: Instructions and examples in this section will reflect the use of MARC codes.

You may also use field 546 to record language information in textual form.

Use field 041 in conjunction with Lang. If Lang is coded zxx (No Linguistic Content), do not record a code in field 041 in subfield ǂa or subfield ǂd. If Lang contains a code other than zxx, record the same code from Lang in field 041 in subfield ǂa or subfield ǂd.

Use field 041 when:

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 abstracts, accompanying material, or summaries differs from the language of the main item
The language of a table of contents differs from the language of the main item

Do not use field 041 to record the MARC language code if there is only one language associated with the item already recorded in Lang.

COM

Record codes for languages associated with the data and/or user interface (e.g., screen displays). Do not use for machine languages (e.g., COBOL) or character codes (e.g., ASCII). Record such information in field 538.

REC, SCO

Record codes for languages for the following linguistic content:

The score has text underlying printed music
The audio recording has sung or spoken text
The libretto has text presented separately
The language of accompanying text (e.g., critical commentary, program notes) differs from the language of the main item

Also record the following if readily ascertainable:

Original language of printed, sung, or spoken text
Original language of text presented separately (e.g., librettos)
Original language of accompanying text

VIS

Use for motion pictures, filmstrips, slides, transparencies, and videorecordings when:

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
Accompanying printed scripts are in multiple languages (e.g., one is in Spanish, one is in French, one is in English, etc.)
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, use when:

The language associated with the material (i.e., captions or other text associated with the item or collection that are part of the preferred source of information) is multilingual
The language of the accompanying material differs from the language associated with the item or collection

1st Indicator

Translation indication. Whether the work is or includes a translation. Assign the 1st indicator position from the content of the item itself. Accompanying material is not considered when determining if an item is a translation.

Note: When printed music contains a translation of a vocal text printed as text, the item is considered a translation, so use value 1.

	No information provided.

0

Item not a translation/does not include a translation. The work is not a translation or does not include a translation.

Lang:		eng
041	0	eng ǂa fre
[The item has text in English and French]

1

Item is or includes a translation. The work is or includes a translation and is used regardless of whether the work in the original language has been published. If, however, the translated work is not entered under the preferred name/title or title for the original, for example, because the translation also involved adaptation, then the item is not considered a translation and the 1st indicator value is 0.

Lang:		eng
041	1	eng ǂh rus
[The item has text in English translated from Russian]

2nd Indicator

Source of code. The source of the language code used in the field.

MARC language code. The source of the code is MARC Code List for Languages.

Lang:		eng
041	1	eng ǂh ger ǂh swe
[The item has text in English translated from German and Swedish]

7

Source specified in subfield ǂ2 . The source of the language code is indicated by a code in subfield ǂ2.

Lang:			map
041	1		map ǂh eng
041	1	7	viv ǂh eng ǂ2 iso639-3
546			In Iduna; translated from the original English.
[The item has text in Iduna translated from English. In the MARC Code List for Languages, Iduna is subsumed under the collective code map for Austronesian (Other). In the ISO 639-3 list of Codes for the Representation of Names of Languages -- Part 3: Alpha-3 Code for Comprehensive Coverage of Languages, Iduna has been assigned its own code viv.]

Subfields

ǂa Language code of text/sound track or separate title

The code for the language associated with the item. If Lang is coded zxx (No Linguistic Content), do not record a code in subfield ǂa. If Lang contains a code other than zxx, record the same code from Lang in subfield ǂa.

Lang:		eng
041	0	eng ǂa fre ǂa ger
[The item has text in English, French, and German]

For works in multiple languages, the codes for the languages are recorded in the order of their predominance. If predominance cannot be determined, record the codes in English alphabetical order. If the code mul (Multiple languages) is recorded in Lang (meaning the item is multilingual with no predominant language), the code for the title (or the first title, if there are more than one) and the code mul are recorded. Alternatively, any number of specific language codes may be recorded in repeating occurrences of subfield ǂa.

Lang:		fre
041	0	fre ǂa eng
[The item has text in French (the predominant language) and English]

Lang:		mul
041	0	mul ǂa rus
[The item has multilingual text with no predominant language and the title is in Russian]

Lang:		sgn
041	0	sgn ǂa eng
[The item contains representations of the alphabet in sign language with minimal English text on title page]

When a work is a translation or includes a translation, the code for the language of the translation is recorded in subfield ǂa. The code for the language of the original work is recorded in subfield ǂh. The code for the language of an intermediate translation is recorded in subfield ǂk. If an item is in the original language with an accompanying translation, repeated subfields ǂa contain the codes for the languages of the translation and the original. The code for the original is also recorded in subfield ǂh.

Lang:		eng
041	1	eng ǂh fre
[The item has text in English translated from French]

Lang:		eng
041	1	eng ǂk ger ǂh swe
[The item has text in English translated from German; originally published in Swedish]

Lang:		eng
041	1	eng ǂa grc ǂh grc
[The item has text in both the original Greek and in an English translation]

Lang:		eng
041	1	eng ǂh und
[The item has text in English and the original language is undetermined]

Lang:		eng
041	1	eng ǂh mul
[The anthology of poems has text translated into English from multiple languages]

For continuing resources, when the language of the text changes over a period of time, record the codes for all of the languages.

Lang:		eng
041	0	eng ǂa afr
546		In English, 1898-1963; English and Afrikaans, 1964-
[The language of the item has changed over time]

For computer files, record the language code associated with the data and/or user interface (e.g., screen displays) in subfield ǂa.

Lang:		eng
041	0	eng ǂa spa
546		Interface in English; citations chiefly in Spanish.
[The database has an English language interface with data chiefly in Spanish]

For musical works, record the language code corresponding to the textual contents in subfield ǂa only when the work is printed or manuscript music. If the work is an audio recording, record the language code in subfield ǂd.

Lang:		ita
041	1	ǂd ita ǂe ita ǂe eng ǂn ita ǂg eng
546		Sung in Italian.
500		Program notes in English, and libretto with English translation (30 pages : illustrations ; 14 cm) inserted in container.
[The audio recording of a vocal work sung in Italian with accompanying program notes in English and libretto in Italian with English translation]

Lang:		ita
041	1	ita ǂa ger ǂh ita ǂg eng ǂg ger ǂm eng
546		Italian words with German translation.
500		Preface by Andrew V. Jones in English with German translation.
[The score of a vocal work has lyrics in Italian with a German translation accompanied by an English preface with a German translation]

For moving image resources, subfield ǂa contains the language code of spoken or sung language associated with the item, as well as sign language and any language code of the languages of accompanying sound. Code languages used to provide access to a resource in an accessible alternative mode as appropriate in either subfields ǂp, ǂq, or ǂr.

For projected still images, such as filmstrips and slides, subfield ǂa contains the language code associated with the item, as well as any language code of the languages of accompanying printed script or accompanying sound. For all other still images, including original or historical graphic material and opaque and non-opaque graphic material, and for three-dimensional artifacts, subfield ǂa contains the code of languages associated with the material, i.e. captions or other text associated with the item or collection that are part of the preferred source of information.

Lang:		jpn
041	1	jpn ǂj eng ǂh jpn
546		Japanese sound track; optional English subtitles.
[The videorecording has dialog in Japanese with English subtitles]

ǂb Language code of summary or abstract

The language code for summaries or abstracts regardless of whether they are the same or different from the languages recorded in subfield ǂa. Record multiple language codes in English alphabetical order.

Lang:		eng
041	0	eng ǂb fre ǂb ger ǂb rus
[The item has text in English with summaries in French, German, and Russian]

For audio recordings, use for the language code of the accompanying material summaries that are not full translations of vocal works. Use also if a nonmusical audio recording has summaries of its contents as accompanying material.

Lang:		rus
041	0	ǂd rus ǂb eng ǂg eng
[The audio recording of a vocal work sung in Russian with one-sentence summaries of the songs texts and other program notes in English]

ǂd Language code of sung or spoken text

The language code for the audible portion of an item, usually the sung or spoken content of an audio recording or computer file. Record the language code for the textual portion of an item in subfield ǂa. The language code in the first occurrence of subfield ǂd, in cases where there is no subfield ǂa, is also recorded in Lang.

Lang:		fre
041	0	ǂd fre ǂe eng
[The audio recording of a vocal work sung in French with accompanying libretto in English]

ǂe Language code of librettos

The language code of the printed text when the item contains the vocal/textual content of the work(s) printed as text whether as accompanying material or printed with the item. This subfield is not restricted to librettos and may include other sung or spoken text. However, do not use subfield ǂe for items covered by subfield ǂg.

Lang:		eng
041	0	ǂd eng ǂe eng ǂg eng ǂg fre ǂg ger
[The audio recording of a vocal work sung in English, the libretto is in English, with program notes, notes on performers, and synopsis in English, French, and German]

ǂf Language code of table of contents

The language code of the table of contents when it differs from the language of the text. Record the language codes in English alphabetical order.

Lang:		ger
041	0	ger ǂb eng ǂb fre ǂf eng ǂf fre
[The item has text in German with summaries in English and French and table of contents also in English and French]

ǂg Language code of accompanying material other than librettos and transcripts

The language code of accompanying material other than summaries or librettos when the material is considered significant. Use for codebooks, commentaries, manuals, prefaces, program notes, user instructions, etc.

Lang:		ita
041	0	ǂd ita ǂg eng ǂg ita
[The audio recording of a vocal work sung in Italian with program notes in English and Italian]

For visual materials, use subfield ǂg for all accompanying material, except for accompanying printed script or accompanying sound which are recorded in subfield ǂa.

Lang:		ger
041	0	ger ǂg eng
[The videorecording has captions in German with accompanying material in English]

ǂh Language code of original

The language code for the original language. Original language may be recorded regardless of whether the 1st indicator indicates a translation (value 1). The language code is for the original language of the primary content of the item and it is not required to use it if the item is not a translation. The subfield follows the related subfields ǂa, ǂd, ǂh, or ǂk.

When indicating the original language of subsidiary materials (e.g., other liner notes, etc.), subfield ǂm is used.

Lang:		eng
041	1	eng ǂa fre ǂh vie
[The item has text in English and French, translated from Vietnamese]

Lang:		eng
041	1	eng ǂh ger ǂb fre
[The item has text in English, translated from the German, with a French summary]

Lang:		fre
041	1	ǂd fre ǂh eng ǂg fre ǂm eng
[The audio recording of a vocal work sung in French, translated from the English, with French program notes, translated from the English]

ǂi Language code of intertitles

Language code of the intertitles or title cards for silent films. Intertitles are filmed text that is shown between the scenes of a silent film to provide dialogue or narrative context.

Lang:		fre
041	1	ǂi fre ǂj eng ǂj ger
[DVD with intertitles in French and subtitles in English and German]

ǂj Language code of subtitles

Language codes for written languages providing access to moving image materials in the form of subtitles. It does not include the languages of the credits, packaging, or accompanying material. If needed, the language of credits is recorded in field 546 and the language of packaging or accompanying material is recorded in subfield ǂg.

Lang:		eng
041	1	eng ǂb ger ǂj ger
[The videorecording has dialog in English with a German language summary on its packaging and German subtitles]

ǂk Language code of intermediate translations

Language code for an intermediate language between the original and the current translation, where the resource was translated from an intermediate language other than the original. The subfield follows the related subfield ǂa or ǂd.

Lang:		eng
041	1	eng ǂk chi ǂh san
[The item has text in English translated from the Chinese version of a text originally in Sanskrit]

ǂm Language code of original accompanying materials other than librettos

Language code of original language of subsidiary materials other than librettos. The subfield follows the related subfield ǂb or ǂg.

Lang:		fre
041	1	ǂd fre ǂh ita ǂe eng ǂe fre ǂe ger ǂe ita ǂg eng ǂg fre ǂg ger ǂg ita ǂm ger
[The audio recording of an opera sung in French, original opera in Italian; libretto in English, French, German, and Italian; liner notes in English, French, German, and Italian, but liner notes known to be originally written in German]

ǂn Language code of original libretto

Language code of original language of printed text of the vocal/textual content of the work. The subfield follows the related subfield ǂe.

Lang:		eng
041	1	ǂd eng ǂh rus ǂe eng ǂn rus ǂg eng ǂg fre ǂg ger ǂm eng
[The audio recording of a vocal work sung in English, translated from the original Russian; libretto in English translated from the original Russian; program notes in English with French and German translations]

ǂp Language code of captions

Language code for language used in moving image resource captions, whether open captioning (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SDH)) or closed captioning (CC).

Lang:		eng
041	0	eng ǂp eng
[The videorecording has dialog in English with English closed captioning for the hearing impaired]

ǂq Language code of accessible audio

Language code for audio used as an alternative mode of access to the visual or textual content of a resource, e.g, Described Video, a supplementary audio track providing additional access to moving image visual content using audio description.

Lang:		eng
041	0	eng ǂa chi ǂa fre ǂa ita ǂa kor ǂa por ǂa spa ǂp eng ǂq eng
[The videorecording has dialog in English, Chinese, French, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish dialogue; English Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SDH); Described Video]

ǂr Language code of accessible visual language (non-textual)

Language code for the visual language (non-textual) used to provide alternative access to the audio content of a resource, e.g., signed languages.

For resources where signed language is the primary mode of access, subfield ǂa should be used to record the language code for signed language.

Lang:		eng
041	0	eng ǂr sgn
[Open signed in American Sign language]

ǂt Language code of accompanying transcripts for audiovisual materials

Language code of the printed text of the spoken content for non-musical audiovisual works. For musical audiovisual works, the language code of the printed text of the sung and/or spoken content of the work should be recorded in subfield ǂe.

Lang:		eng
041	0	eng ǂt eng
[An English language online resource for an oral history video file with transcript in English]

ǂ2 Source of code

The source of the language code scheme used in the field. For MARC codes, see Language Code and Term Source Codes. For ISO codes, see Codes for the Representations of Names of Languages.

For information about subfield ǂ2, see Control Subfields.

Lang:			eng
041	0		eng ǂa fre
041	0	7	en ǂa fr ǂ2 iso639-1
[Two language code schemes are used and field 041 is repeated]

ǂ6 Linkage

Data that link fields when non-Latin script is entered. This subfield is system supplied and does not appear in OCLC online displays. Do not manually add subfield ǂ6. For more information about subfield ǂ6, see Control Subfields.

ǂ7 Data provenance

For information about subfield ǂ7, see Data Provenance Subfields.

ǂ8 Field link and sequence number

For information about subfield ǂ8, see Control Subfields.

Indexing

For indexing and searching information, see Searching WorldCat Indexes, field 041.

MARC 21

For more information, including content designator history, see MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data, field 041.

This page last revised: January 10, 2023

0xx Fields