[DDI-users] language tags

[Wendy Thomas]

Alerk,

I did a preliminary scan through the schemas and found multiple means of 
capturing language at different points. There were related issues raised 
in the Expert Workshop relating to grouping and language. I am going to 
file this information under a bug and call for a systematic review of 
language elements and attributes with the goal of a consistant approach 
within DDI that will meet the needs you specified below as well as those 
raised in Expert Workshop.

Wendy


On Tue, 24 Nov 2009, Alerk Amin wrote:

> 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
> Room K737 (Tilburg University, Koopmans Building)
> Postal address   : PO Box 90153, 5000 LE  Tilburg, The Netherlands
> Visiting address : Warandelaan 2, 5037 AB  Tilburg, The Netherlands
> Telephone        : +31-13-466 2243 / 8325
> Fax              : +31-13-466 2764
> WWW              : www.centerdata.nl
> Disclaimer       : See http://www.centerdata.nl/maildisclaimer.
>
> _______________________________________________
> DDI-users mailing list
> DDI-users at icpsr.umich.edu
> http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/mailman/listinfo/ddi-users
>

Wendy L. Thomas                          Phone: +1 612.624.4389
Data Access Core Director		 Fax:   +1 612.626.8375
Minnesota Population Center              Email: wlt at pop.umn.edu
University of Minnesota
50 Willey Hall
225 19th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455