Music Library Association Best Practices for language of expression

Routinely record the element for the following linguistic content:

1. Text underlying printed music (scores)
2. Sung or spoken text (recordings)
3. Text presented separately (e.g., librettos)
4. Subtitles
5. Accompanying text (e.g., critical commentary, program notes)

If readily ascertainable, also record Work: language of representative expression for the original language of printed, sung, spoken, or accompanying text.

In MARC: Record as an identifier using field 008 bytes 35-37 and, if needed, 041 (second indicator blank) subfields $a, $d, $e, $g, or $j. For text underlying printed music, sung or spoken text, and subtitles, routinely also record as an unstructured description using field 546 subfield $a. For other language content, optionally record as an unstructured description using field 546 or 500 if deemed useful for identification or selection.

Apply the option if deemed useful for identification or access.

In MARC: Cataloger's judgment. If applying the option, record in field 377 subfield $l.

Apply the option using values from the MARC Code List for Languages .

In MARC: Apply the option. Use codes from the MARC Code List for Languages .