WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

Re: SC 3.1.2 lang exception: proper names

for

From: John Foliot
Date: May 6, 2019 2:29PM

Wolfgang writes:

> According to Patrick's interpretation, pronunciation issues of proper
names like *Jean* in French / English would be an usability issue and not a
problem of conformance to 3.1.2.

From a "legally conforming" perspective, evaluators do not need to call
this as a compliance failure. But again, they "legally" cannot fail this
code sample either:

<img src="" alt="logo">.

Putting aside the exemptions of SC 1.1.1, it still only states: "*All
non-text content that is presented to the user has a text alternative that
serves the equivalent purpose, except for the situations listed below*."
Equivalency is and will always remain a subjective call.

In other words, the "quality" of the web output is not something measured
in "legal compliance reports", although it is surely something we care
about at a higher level.

Based upon the above, and looking at what the spec states related to SC
3.1.2, it states: "*The human language of each passage or phrase in the
content can be [JF: read, "must be"] programmatically determined except for
proper names, technical terms, words of indeterminate language, and words
or phrases that have become part of the vernacular of the immediately
surrounding text." *- which outlines what *MUST* be marked up, but does not
specifically forbid authors from adding @lang on proper names, technical
terms, words of indeterminate language, or words or phrases that have
become part of the vernacular of the immediately surrounding text, only
that it's not mandated. (i.e. you could NOT fail this - <span
lang-"fr">Jean</span>)

In response to JF I'd be interested in criteria for subjective applyment.


Well, the "*Proper names need no lang-attribution, if the pronunciation
between habitual and synthesized listening only differs in nuances of
accentuation or intonation*" quote isn't in the normative text, but it's a
'hint' as to how to apply subjective decisions; the key to that quote (to
my mind) is the qualifier: IF

So, subject matter expertise, experience, and "context" all need to apply.
If, in your professional opinion, the user-experience is improved by adding
the lang attribute to a proper name, then do it. Else, don't - you won't
fail "legal conformance" either way.

JF

On Mon, May 6, 2019 at 12:57 PM Wolfgang Berndorfer <
<EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:

> Hi all,
> According to Patrick's interpretation, pronunciation issues of proper
> names like *Jean* in French / English would be an usability issue and not a
> problem of conformance to 3.1.2.
> In response to JF I'd be interested in criteria for subjective applyment.
> The SC itself only mentions *human language* to be technically determined
> and takes off proper names. Human language is defined as *language that is
> spoken, written or signed (through visual or tactile means) to communicate
> with humans*.
> Does this include listened language?
> Pronunciation, accentuation and intonation are just mentioned in the
> understanding section. And the pronunciation is classified as an AAA
> conformance SC in 3.1.6.
> Seems we have to reflect the normativity of the understanding section.
> So:
> 1) Should we consider the exception of proper names as strict and
> universal? (listening apprehension sounds substantially as requirement for
> *communicate with humans*.)
> 2) Should we judge the understanding section of the WCAG generally as
> normative or as substational interpretation or just as informative?
> From a normative conformance point of view, I fear that Patrick is right
> with his interpretation. But from AX point of view, pronunciation often
> causes irritation also with proper names, especially if you are interested
> in politics or geography (not only with German as default language).
> Regards!
> Wolfgang
>
> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: WebAIM-Forum [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] Im
> Auftrag von John Foliot
> Gesendet: Freitag, 03. Mai 2019 21:25
> An: WebAIM Discussion List
> Betreff: Re: [WebAIM] SC 3.1.2 lang exception: proper names
>
> Hi All,
>
> I think, in the end, this comes down to a matter of subjective
> determination.
>
> For example, Wolfgang's name may or may not be pronounced with an emphasis
> on the "W" sound, but perhaps a more "V" sound (Volfgang), that may or may
> not matter in some contexts, but in others may have a significant impact.
> (For example, in a literary context).
>
> In other circumstances, some "names" may be more problematic than others:
> for example, my name in French is Jean (J E A N), which *should* be
> pronounced as (something approximating) "jzawn" (with a very soft N), and /
> but certainly not "Geen". In the context of an email, no harm, no foul; but
> in other contexts it may make a significant difference.
>
> The exception in WCAG states: *Proper names need no lang-attribution, if
> the pronunciation between habitual and synthesized listening only differs
> in nuances of accentuation or intonation ,* and I've offered 2 different
> scenarios where the first (Wolfgang) likely meets this exception, but the
> French variant of my name (Jean) would likely require the lang attribute to
> ensure proper pronunciation.
>
> Finally, the exception is offering times when adding the lang attribute is
> *optional*, but that does not mean that you cannot do so. So (again)
> depending on the context, it remains a subjective call on the content
> author: if you feel it is correct to do so, do so.
>
> HTH
>
> JF
>
> On Fri, May 3, 2019 at 2:07 PM < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
>
> > No. I am thinking of situations where the Web developer does not have
> > background information about the name Perhaps they can do a Web search to
> > determine the relevant nation and language.
> >
> >