Books in languages other than English

DAISY 3 Structure Guidelines
Last Revised: June 4, 2008

This page is initially intended for discussion. This section will be expanded as resolution is reached.

Textbooks, including language-training texts and texts authored in other languages, may contain words or phrases in languages other than English. It is imperative to script content such as producer's notes and alternate or long descriptions in these texts based on the type and level of the book and its intended use by the author.

Language-training text

For language-training texts, the language of choice for authoring alternate descriptions, producer notes, and long descriptions is a producer-determined decision, based on content, intent and grade level of the content. For example, in a grade 10 "Learning Spanish" textbook all producer notes and alternate descriptions should be authored in Spanish, using language at the vocabulary level of the textbook, whereas in a grade 5 "Learning Spanish" textbook, the producer notes and alternate descriptions should be authored in English.

Given that this is a subjective decision, we urge producers to understand the intent behind the images, and the resultant accessiblity of the added content.

Texts authored in non-English languages

For texts fully authored in non-English languages, the alternate descriptions, producer notes, and long descriptions should always be authored in the original language of the text.