Content publishing
Audit Page and Passage Language Markup
Published by whatisADA / Grow Wild Agency · Updated
Purpose and preparation
Review the language identified for the page and for meaningful passages in another language. Include translated routes, embedded quotations and forms. Correct language markup helps assistive technology choose appropriate pronunciation rules.
A practical example
An English article contains a French quotation and links to a separately translated French version.
How to check it
- Inspect the page's primary language declaration and compare it with the actual content. Check each translated route rather than assuming the template changes correctly.
- Identify passages requiring a language change and apply appropriate markup. Consider the criterion's exceptions for names, technical terms and similar cases.
- Listen to representative passages with a screen reader configured for the relevant languages. Verify that navigation and forms on translated pages use the intended language as well.
What can be missed
A language switcher alone does not set the document language. Automatic translation can also leave labels or validation messages in a different language from the main content.
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.