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EML 2.1.1 introduces internationalization capabilities that can be used in most text-based elements. Version 2.1.1 remains backward-compatible with the previous 2.1.0 release. Authors can safely upgrade existing 2.1.0 documents to 2.1.1 without altering any content, though adding additional language translations is encouraged.
By allowing mixed element content, nested translation elements can be included without altering or introducing ambiguity with respect to EML element cardinality. Translation elements use standard xml:lang attributes to specify the language used for their content. Translation elements can be nested such that child elements may inherit or override the language used by their ancestors. The top-level EML element may include an xml:lang attribute which will apply to every element in the document unless a child element includes a different xml:lang attribute to override the document default.
Multi-lingual authors of EML should carefully consider their primary target audience when deciding the default document language. Early adopters should be aware search tools like Metacat will require custom configuration in order to search arbitrarily nested translations.
| 1.1. | Including translations |
The internationalization feature allows authors to place any language in <value> tags nested within most EML text fields. The xml:lang attribute should be used to explicitly declare the language used. Additional documentation and examples are available in the EML specification. The i18nNonEmptyStringType is used for simple text, while i18nString for more structured text elements. |