11. 377 Associated Language

Sources: LC RDA Training Module 3, BL Guide, RDA 9.14, 11.8

LCT M3 Slide 30:

377 is repeatable (R)

Second indicator “7” if using a specific source, which would then be noted in the ‡2

If using the MARC Code List, second indicator is blank

Subfields:

Slide 31

Use an authorized code from the MARC Code List for Languages.

Record the language the person/family/corporate body uses in works it creates or contributes to

• e.g. a writer who is a native English speaker but publishes exclusively in German – record “ger” for German
• Hey, ABBA would be an example here. They were Swedish and wrote songs to be sung in English.
• However, for creators of non-verbal works, the language should not be recorded for THOSE works.

NOTE: although RDA does not specify the language attribute for Family names, the MARC Authority Format allows you to record the language of the family.

BL Guide to Name Authorities

General:

• In ‡a, record codes from the MARC Code List for Languages. 
• In ‡l, record terms for languages and dialects that are too specific for the code list:377    ‡a nya ‡l Chewa
• Chewa dialect is under the collective code nya (Nyanja)

Jurisdictions:

• 377 can be used for the official language(s) of a country, state or province. Do not generally use 377 for local places such as towns and villages.

Personal Names:

• Record only languages of which we have evidence of use in the public sphere. Do not surmise what languages a person might use in private. Do not record a language for an illustrator, photographer or other person working in a non-verbal context, unless they have also written, broadcasted, etc.
• Do not record a language from which a person has translated, unless there is evidence that the person has also created expressions in that language. For example, for a person who has translated Japanese literature into English, but has not published in Japanese, record: