This translation has not been editorially reviewed yet. The German version is authoritative. Deutsche Fassung
Accessibility
When does a website need to state the pronunciation of a word?
“The prisoner fled” and “the prisoner flea”, “drive around” with emphasis in front or back, “mounting” as days of the week or as an assembly: some words are clear only with the pronunciation. Level AAA criterion 3.1.6 requires the pronunciation to be available if the meaning of a word in context without it remains unclear. It affects few words, but for names, foreign words and languages with characters it is important.
What the Criterion Requires
Where a word is ambiguous without knowledge of the pronunciation and the context does not clarify the meaning, the page offers a mechanism for the pronunciation: a phonetic notation in brackets, a transcription (“montage”, spoken mon-TA-sche), a sound recording, or in languages such as Japanese the reading aid above the sign (Ruby annotation). This is only necessary if there is genuine ambiguity; A word that every reader clearly understands does not need pronunciation.
Where it counts in German
Proprietary names with unusual pronunciation (places, people, companies), foreign words where pronunciation separates meaning, and pairs of words that differ only in emphasis. Read-out programs speak words according to rules; A name that is spoken differently then sounds wrong, and the blind listener does not recognize him on the phone call. For technical words from Latin or Greek, a pronunciation aid helps people with dyslexia who speak the word in their head.
This is how we deal with it
Whether a word without pronunciation is ambiguous is decided by the context; It judges a person. The measurement can detect Ruby annotations and audio elements alongside words, nothing more. The criterion belongs to the category AAA in knowledge.
Examples
Name with unusual pronunciation
<p>Sprechstunde bei Dr. Szczepanik, Montag 9 Uhr.</p><p>Sprechstunde bei Dr. Szczepanik (gesprochen: Schtsche-pa-nik), Montag 9 Uhr.</p>Only necessary if the meaning without pronunciation remains unclear or a name is not recognized otherwise.
- Collect names and technical words that mispronounce visitors on the phone; These are the candidates.
- At the first occurrence, add a pronunciation aid in brackets, in transcription that lay people can read.
- For company and place names, offer a short recording next to the name.
- Change sentences where the emphasis carries the meaning; A clear sentence does not need pronunciation.
