Non-English Language Materials

When cataloging materials in languages other than English, use only records for which the language of cataloging is English (English abbreviations, subject headings, etc.), creating a parallel record in OCLC if necessary. In OCLC, a "language of cataloging" limiter can limit search results to records cataloged in English.

Language in the 008 Field

The predominate language of the work is placed in positions 35-37 of the 008 field. When more than two languages are present in the work, prefer the predominate language. If work is bilingual and a predominate language cannot be determined, prefer the non-English language. If neither language is English, prefer the language that comes first alphabetically. Alternatively, use cataloger's judgment to determine what would be most useful to the intended audience. For language learning materials, prefer the language of the target audience. For example, if the work is a text for English language learning for a Spanish speaking audience with Spanish instructions, use Spanish in the 008. Continue to follow the national practice to add all languages in the 041 and 546 fields.

Subject/genre headings

In addition to other subject and genre headings guidelines:

• Except for dictionaries and language-instruction material, if the resource has significant text in two or more languages, add the local genre heading Bilingual books.

655  7 Bilingual books.‡2local

• For motion pictures made outside the United States in a language that is not English, delete any 650 or 655 fields with headings in the form Motion pictures, [nationality], unless the item is a work about that topic. (The 257 field is used instead for country of production.)

• Do not use LC Children’s Subject Headings in the form [Language] language materials.

INCORRECT:
650 _1 Spanish language materials.
655 _1 Spanish language materials. 

• Optionally, add Spanish subject headings to Spanish-language material. (Note: This only applies to subject headings, typically in a 650 field. Do not add any heading in a 655 field in a language other than English.)

For Spanish-language materials, use only the following thesauri:

Bilindex (‡2 bidex)
QLSP (‡2 qlsp)
Autoridades de la Biblioteca Nacional de España (Spanish Subject Headings, ‡2 embne)

Foreign film titles

The preferred source of information for videorecordings is the title screen. Per RDA, parallel titles proper can be taken from anywhere within the movie or the packaging, with an explanatory note only needed if it comes from a different source than the title proper.

If there is an English parallel title, include it in the 245 field in addition to a 246.