1.5 Language and script of the description

The language of the original Work can be different from the language of a Manifestation or Item. For example, the original Work title can be in the original creation language, but the item being catalogued is a Variant with the title and key credits in a different language. Where possible, data elements in the catalogue record for the Work are recorded in the language and/or script of the original Work and may be transcribed from the Item of an original manifestation of the Work or taken from other sources.

This will primarily be for data transcribed from the screen, e.g. Title and key agents (director, producer, cast, etc.). Do not confuse this with describing the language of the soundtrack, which is noted in specific language fields.

Data elements for the Variant, Manifestation and Item are recorded in the language that is on the Variant, Manifestation or Item and should be transcribed from the Item or from other sources in the appropriate language. Scripts, symbols or other characters that cannot be transcribed as presented or are other than that used by the cataloguing agency or institution may, if necessary, be transliterated in the script of the institution or replaced with a cataloguer’s description. Use a recognised standard for transliteration such as ISO 9 for Cyrillic characters, Pinyin for Chinese characters, or ALA-LC Romanization Tables. Give an explanatory note for the addition, if necessary. Optionally, enclose the cataloguer’s description in square brackets.

Example

Original Chinese Title: 精武英雄

Transliterated Pinyin Title: Jīng wǔ yīngxióng

English Translated Title: Fist of Legend