If the sole medium of communication is a sign language, e.g., a book containing pictures of the handshape of each letter of a particular sign system, or a videorecording that is signed, use the code for Sign languages in the fixed field.
When the medium of communication includes a sign language or its representation as well as one or more other languages, judge whether the sign language or its representation is substantial. If so, assign language codes in an 041 field for all the languages, including the one for Sign languages. The important thing is to indicate whether sign language is present or not, rather than to worry about predominance or other discriminations more easily determined for other languages. If predominance is apparent, code for the predominant language in the fixed field and as the first code in 041 $a. If such discriminations are not readily apparent, assign codes in English alphabetical order, using the first code in the fixed field.
Use the 546 Language Note to state the particular sign system, e.g., American Sign language, British Sign language. Formulate the note to reflect the situation, i.e., use terminology to distinguish between cases in which the content of the whole work is signed, whether as the sole medium of communication or in conjunction with one or more others, and those in which sign language is present but the whole work is not signed (or it is not clear whether it is). For example, if the sole medium of communication in a videorecording is a sign language, then it would be appropriate to express that in the note as "Signed in [name of sign system]." If a videorecording includes open signing (i.e., a sign language interpreter appears in a separate frame), record the note as "Open signed in [name of sign system]." For those situations that are less straight forward, for example a book in which both a language and a sign language occur, possibly a dictionary or a manual, use in the 546 field the more general statement "Includes sign language; the sign system represented is [name of sign system]." If it cannot be determined what sign system has been used, record an appropriate note indicating that the item is signed but not specifying the sign system (i.e., "Includes sign language."; "Open signed.").
Questions about these guidelines for applying the sign language code should be addressed to:
February 1997
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(10/24/97)