Understandable · Level AA · Introduced in WCAG 2.0
WCAG 3.1.2: Language of Parts
Published by whatisADA / Grow Wild Agency · Updated
What this criterion means
Identify the language of passages or phrases that differ from the page's default, except for defined cases such as proper names, technical terms and words adopted into surrounding usage. This helps pronunciation follow the content.
A practical example
An English travel page contains a full Spanish announcement. Wrap that passage with lang="es" while keeping the rest of the page English, instead of changing the language of the entire article.
How to check it
- Locate passages written in a language different from the page default.
- Inspect the nearest applicable language attribute and check its value.
- Read the passage with suitable screen-reader voices and confirm that the language switches and returns at the right boundaries.
What can be missed
Do not tag every borrowed word or personal name as a language change. The exceptions and actual usage matter, and voice availability can affect the listening test.
Record your test
Use this worksheet to record what you actually checked. Notes stay on this device when you choose Save; they are not sent to us. Avoid personal or confidential information on shared devices.
These are your observations, not automated results or a conformance certificate. A complete evaluation needs appropriate scope, supported technologies, all applicable criteria and relevant page states.
Primary sources and scope
This is independent implementation guidance with original examples. The linked standard contains the full definitions, exceptions and conformance requirements. A criterion or checklist alone does not establish legal applicability or whole-site conformance.