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No, in trying to keep MODS lightweight, we did not include language of
cataloging as an element in MODS. We could add it to RecordInfo if deemed
important.

Rebecca

On Thu, 7 Nov 2002, Dinberg Donna wrote:

> Karen wrote:
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Karen Coyle [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2002 10:13 AM
> > Subject: Re: language attributes for MODS element. was (RE:
> > [MODS] MODS revisions)
> >
> <snip>
>
> > Yes, we should distinguish between the language of the item
> > being described
> > and the language of the cataloging. So when a librarian in
> > China describes
> > a book published in England, the book is cataloged using
> > Chinese, although
> > the book itself is in English. As more metadata crosses national and
> > language boundaries, this will be an important piece of
> > information about
> > the metadata itself.
>
> Language of cataloguing has often been included since the beginning of MARC
> coding in Canada to distinguish English-language from French-language
> catalogue records.  For bilingual works especially, there are frequently two
> catalogue records created ... one in English and one in French ... for the
> same item.  The language of publication of the item may or may not have some
> bearing on what language of cataloguing is used; that is a matter of local
> cataloguing policy.
>
> Info about language of cataloguing is described in MARC 040$b.  I do not see
> 040$b in the MARC-to-MODS October 2 map
> <http://www.loc.gov/standards/mods/mods-mapping.html>, only 040$a.     If
> the language of the original catalogue record is important, especially in
> the international context Karen described, then MARC subfield 040$b should
> be mapped.  (If prior discussion has covered this, I apologize for stating
> the obvious.  I have come late to the MODS party.)
>
> Donna Dinberg
> Systems Librarian/Analyst
> Government Online Task Force
> National Library of Canada
> Ottawa, ON   K1A 0N4
> Voice:  613-995-9227
> E-mail:  [log in to unmask]
>
> <Opinions above are mine, not necessarily those of my employer.>
>