[DDI-users] language tags

[Alerk Amin]

Hello,

   In looking at the DDI 3.1 specification, I have a question regarding 
language tags.  This issue doesn't cause us problems today, but might in 
the future.
   As far as I know, the xml:lang attribute accepts IETF language tags 
(BCP 47 standard track).  This consists of a language tag, with 
additional optional tags, including region and script.  The script tag 
is important for us, because for one project, we have 2 translations 
into the same language/region, with 2 different scripts.  As most DDI 
elements use the xml:lang attribute to specify the language, this is 
fine with us.
   However, the Language element from the ddi:instance:3_1 namespace 
does not specify what standard to use for the language.  If I look at 
the Language element in the ddi:reusable:3_1 namespace, it specifies 
only a pair of codes for language and locale (ISO 3166 for country 
codes, and I assume ISO 639-1 for language).  The LanguageOfData element 
only specifies "a 2-character ISO language code" (ISO 639-1?).  The 
Language element in the ddi:archive:3_1 namespace does not specify which 
standard to use, but its type is xs:language, so I assume I can use IETF 
language tags, as with xml:lang.
   Is the above interpretation correct?  If not, please let me know 
where I am mistaken.
   I think we would prefer to use IETF language tags everywhere.  We 
will likely use the TranslationInformation element in the future, and 
will will need the ability to specify the script at that time.
   Thank you for your help.

Best,
Alerk

-- 
Alerk Amin
Senior Software Developer
CentERdata
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