CLF for the Internet - Official Languages

Overview

All GoC Web sites must comply with relevant policies of the Official Languages Act (OLA). While publishing information in both official languages is nothing new, the use of electronic media calls for additional consideration of the linguistic aspects associated with Web technology and software interfaces. Web developers must ensure OLA requirements are met both in the content and the architecture of any given GoC site or sub-site, in accordance with Treasury Board's Directive on the Use of Official Languages on Web Sites.

The following standards related to the use official languages address particular aspects of Web site application. The rapid evolution of Web technologies and standards warrants a revision of current conventions to ensure they are up-to-date and precise.

Several other Web features require special attention to ensure OLA requirements are fully met, including server messages, text equivalents and metatags. Web servers have a number of automatic features such as instructions, e-mail redirection and error messages. Unless the server is able to recognize the language profile chosen by the user and respond accordingly, all messages generated automatically in response to user activity must be bilingual.

Because text equivalents e.g. title="  " or alt="  " are essentially tools through which site content can be obtained, they too, must be available in the end-user's language of choice.

Similarly, because metatags are designed to improve government-wide information searching through standardization of searchable criteria, metatag content must be included in the official language of the Content Page.

As the gateway to information on a particular program or service, the Welcome Page of any GoC institution is a key component of on-line communication. In the context of the common look and feel initiative, Welcome Pages can be said to serve three main functions. They help users identify the source institution, associate the site and the institution with the Government of Canada, and respect official languages requirements.