
Language settings
Requirements for 508 compliance
Set the appropriate language for passages and phrases that use a language other than the document default. Exceptions: proper names, technical terms, or foreign words that have become part of the vernacular.
Watch video (1:10 mins)
Is the main language set, and are language changes set for the document?
To examine the languages in the document:
-
Open the Reveal Formatting pane: CTRL + ALT + SHIFT + F
Open the Reveal Formatting pane: SHIFT + F1
Select various places in the document where the default (main) language and other languages are used. Does the correct language show in the language area in the Formatting Pane?
Note: Each text element should have only one language assigned. Multiple overlapping languages are usually the result of the document's original author setting multiple languages for editing in their MS Office environment. To resolve this, one main editing language should be set when authoring original documents.
Watch video (1:39 mins)
To set the language for an individual passage or phrase:
-
Select the region of text that differs to the main body of text
-
On the Review Tab, in the Language Group, select Language, then Set Proofing Language.
-
The Language dialog box opens.
Choose English (U.S.), or Spanish (International Sort), or other language as appropriate.
Note: The method described above is used to set the language for an individual paragraph. This method can be used to set multiple paragraphs, sections, or even the whole document. However, better results and 'cleaner' formatting can be achieved by (1) Adjusting language settings for individual styles; and (2) Setting your editing/proofing language to that of the main text in your document.
Set the appropriate language for passages and phrases that use a language other than the document default. Exceptions: proper names, technical terms, or foreign words that have become part of the vernacular.
Correct:
(Select the image to download example file in MS Word format)

Incorrect:
(Select the image to download example file in MS Word format)

Set the appropriate language for passages and phrases that use a language other than the document default. Exceptions: proper names, technical terms, or foreign words that have become part of the vernacular.
Screen readers pronounce words according to the language specified, so if a passage of text is in another language it will mispronounce the words in the passage.
Legal References
508 references:
1194.21(d); 1194.31(a); 1194.31(b).
WCAG references:
3.1.2.
All Microsoft Word Requirements