How to Tag Multiple Languages in a PDF

Today’s post explains how to properly tag individual language sections in a multilingual PDF. Adobe Acrobat offers tools to assign language codes to specific sections, allowing screen readers to interpret and vocalize the content accurately.

Video Guide

Setting the Document’s Default Language

Start by setting the default language of the document. This step tells assistive technologies what language the majority of the document uses. To set this:

1. In Adobe Acrobat, open the PDF’s tags panel.
2. Go to File and then select Properties.
3. Open the Advanced tab.
4. Locate the Language field and set it to the document’s primary language. In our example, English.

This setting applies to all content unless you specify otherwise.

Tagging Non-Default Language Content

When a document includes text in more than one language, you must tag each non-default section with its appropriate language code. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Tags panel in Adobe Acrobat.
2. Right-click the tag that contains the non-default language.
3. Choose Properties.
4. Scroll to the Language field at the bottom.
5. Enter the correct language code. In our example, ES for Spanish or ES-MX for Mexican Spanish.
6. Click Close to apply the change.

You must repeat this process for every tag that includes a different language from the default.

Using ISO Language Codes

Adobe Acrobat includes a list of common language codes. If the language you need isn’t listed, search online for its ISO 639-1 code and enter it manually. For example:

• Use DE for German.
• Use FR for French.
• Use ZH-CN for Simplified Chinese.

Enter the ISO code directly into the Language field in the tag’s Properties window.

Repeating the Process for Each Tag

Adobe Acrobat does not offer a batch process to tag multiple language sections simultaneously. You must manually update each individual tag to ensure accurate screen reader output. Although this may take time, it significantly improves accessibility for users relying on assistive technologies.

Verifying Language Tagging

After tagging each non-default section:

• Run Adobe Acrobat’s built-in Accessibility Checker.
• Use a screen reader to confirm correct language pronunciation and ensure smooth transitions between languages throughout the document.

When tags do not reflect the correct language, screen readers may mispronounce words, creating confusion for users. By tagging each language accurately, you help meet standards like WCAG 2.1 and PDF/UA and improve the experience for multilingual readers.

Let me be your champion for inclusion. I offer tailored solutions (and self-paced courses!) to ensure your documents meet and exceed compliance expectations. For more detailed insights, tutorials, and in-depth discussions on accessibility and related topics, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel: The Accessibility Guy on YouTube. Subscribe for regular updates!