3.1.2: Language of Parts

What it means

When a passage uses a different language than the page default, mark that passage with the correct lang attribute. Quotes, names, and mixed-language content need this.

Screen readers switch pronunciation rules per language.

How to fix it

• Wrap foreign phrases in span lang=“fr” (or the correct code).
• Mark language changes in navigation when items stay in another language.
• Use valid BCP 47 language tags.
• Do not mark English names as foreign unless genuinely pronounced in another language.

Quick examples

• Good: A Latin motto in an English page uses p lang=“la”.
• Bad: A German quote in an English article has no lang marker.
• Good: Navigation includes lang on menu items written in Welsh.
• Bad: Entire paragraphs change language visually but share one undifferentiated lang.