Penn State University Libraries - 041 - Language Code (R)

1. General Information
   1. Definition
   2. Source of Information
   3. Indicators and Subfields
2. 041|a -- Language Code of Main Text
   
3. 041|b -- Language Code of Summary or Abstract
4. 041|g -- Language Code of Accompanying Materials
5. 041|h -- Language Code of Original
6. 041|k -- Language Code of Intermediate Translation

Field 041 is used to record language codes in situations where the fixed field code is insufficient. This may include items in multiple languages, situations involving a translation, or instances when accompanying material is in a different language. The codes in field 041 are taken from the MARC Code List for Languages, and should match languages cited in the corresponding 546 variable field.

The source of information is the entire piece (including accompanying materials). Multiple languages may appear on the title page, or within the text; translation information often appears on the title page or its verso, but the entire resource may include text in both the original and translated languages.

Indicators

First Indicator = Translation indicator
#     No information provided
0     Item is not a translation/does not include a translation
1     Item is or includes a translation

Second Indicator = Source of code
#     MARC language code

Subfield Codes

|a    Language code of text (repeatable)

|b    Language code of summary or abstract (repeatable)

|g    Language code for accompanying material

|h    Language code of original

|k    Language code of intermediate translations

See MARC21 for additional subfield codes.

For complex language conditions – for example, when more than one language is present or when the item is a translation, record language codes for each language, using codes found in the MARC Code List for Languages.

When more than one language is represented, list all codes in a single 041 field, with each code in a separate subfield a. 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.

041    0#    eng|afre|ager|aspa
546            In English, French, German, and Spanish.

When the item contains a summary or abstract in a language different from the language of the main text, record the appropriate language code in a subfield b, after first recording the main language in subfield a.

041    0#    jpn|beng
546            In Japanese; summary in English.

When the item has accompanying material in a different language, record the language of the main text in subfield a, and the language(s) of the accompanying material in subfield g. This might include manuals, maps, commentaries, etc.

041    0#    eng|grus
546            In English; accompanying maps in Russian.

For translations, record the language of the main text in subfield a, and the language code of the original text in subfield h.

041    1#    eng|hger
546            In English; translated from the original German.

When there is known to be an intermediate language or languages in a translation, record the language code of the intermediate language(s) between subfield a and subfield h.

041    1#    eng|kita|hlat
546            A translation into English from Italian, originally written in Latin.

BPCR Table of Contents | Record Creation 041