What this criterion requires
Passages in a different language from the page default must be marked with their own lang attribute, except proper names and technical terms.
Who it helps
Screen reader users, so the right voice reads each passage.
Example: fails vs passes
<p>As they say, "plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose".</p><p>As they say, <span lang="fr">"plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose"</span>.</p>Mark language changes so the right pronunciation rules apply. Proper names are exempt.
How to meet and fix it
- Wrap foreign-language quotes and UI strings: ...
Common failures auditors find
- Multilingual pages with all content under a single lang
Automated scanning catches a share of these instantly - run a free check - and a manual audit covers the judgement calls a tool cannot make.
Sources
- W3C, Understanding 3.1.2: Language of Parts - w3.org/WAI
- W3C, How to Meet 3.1.2 (quick reference) - w3.org/WAI/quickref
Last updated . Reviewed by the EqualWeb accessibility team.
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