What this test checks
The test checks whether the PDF document specifies a default and valid natural language.
Why this maybe a barrier
It is important to specify the default natural language of a document. If the natural language is not set or if it is set incorrectly, screen readers and other assistive technologies may mispronounce or misinterpret content, especially in non English documents or those with variable encodings.
It is important that the language is an appropriate human language. For example, if the document language code is any one of the special purpose tags like,
zxx, und, mis or mul, the checker fails the test. Check page for more information on language tags.
WCAG 2.2 Technique
This check is related to the WCAG 2.2 technique → PDF16: Setting the default language using the /Lang entry in the document catalog of a PDF document.
WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion
3.1.1 Language of Page (Level A) — "The default human language of each Web page can be programmatically determined."
For more information, visit WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 3.1.1 under the guideline Readable.
PDF/UA Principle
Section 7.2: Text — "Natural language shall be declared as discussed in ISO 32000-1:2008, 14.9.2 and/or as described in ISO 32000-1:2008, 7.9.2 ."
The implementation uses Matterhorn protocol checkpoints namely:
- 11-001 — Natural language for text in page content cannot be determined.
- 11-007 — Natural language is not appropriate.