Metadata to specify default language is English?

kjk · 06-21-2010, 03:31 PM

I ran into an interesting issue with iBooks 1.1-the built-in dictionary doesn't work on some of my ePubs I've converted myself from other formats-I get a "Dictionary not available for this language" error when I try to get a definition, despite the book (and the word) being in English. Books bought from iBooks don't have this issue, and some of my ePubs also work fine.

Is there a metadata entry I need to add to verify the book is in english to iBooks?

Edit: according to the always helpful GRiker, it is the <dc:language> tag that is the issue.

charleski · 06-21-2010, 05:43 PM

The language metadata tag is required in the epub spec, so it's reasonable for the dictionary to throw a wobbly if it's not present.

GRiker · 06-21-2010, 07:21 PM

It has to be present, and contain either 'en' or 'en-US', at least for ipads sold in the US.

Jellby · 06-22-2010, 04:22 AM

The spec allows multiple languages to be present. It could be enough to add a language tag, instead of changing existing ones.

capidamonte · 06-22-2010, 04:05 PM

If you're using the Calibre GUI to generate the ePubs, this is a known bug. Workaround is coming this week.

(Calibre GUI puts UND in the dc:creator tag.)

cap

06-21-2010, 03:31 PM	#1
kjk . Posts: 3,408 Karma: 5647231 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: never enough	Metadata to specify default language is English? I ran into an interesting issue with iBooks 1.1-the built-in dictionary doesn't work on some of my ePubs I've converted myself from other formats-I get a "Dictionary not available for this language" error when I try to get a definition, despite the book (and the word) being in English. Books bought from iBooks don't have this issue, and some of my ePubs also work fine. Is there a metadata entry I need to add to verify the book is in english to iBooks? Edit: according to the always helpful GRiker, it is the <dc:language> tag that is the issue. Last edited by kjk; 06-21-2010 at 04:14 PM.

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06-21-2010, 05:43 PM	#2
charleski Wizard Posts: 1,196 Karma: 1281258 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-505	The language metadata tag is required in the epub spec, so it's reasonable for the dictionary to throw a wobbly if it's not present.

06-21-2010, 07:21 PM	#3
GRiker Comparer of the Ephemeris Posts: 1,496 Karma: 424697 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: iPad	It has to be present, and contain either 'en' or 'en-US', at least for ipads sold in the US.

06-22-2010, 04:22 AM	#4
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,516 Karma: 18512745 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	The spec allows multiple languages to be present. It could be enough to add a language tag, instead of changing existing ones.

06-22-2010, 04:05 PM	#5
capidamonte Not who you think I am... Posts: 374 Karma: 30283 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Honolulu Device: PocketBook 360 -- Ivory	If you're using the Calibre GUI to generate the ePubs, this is a known bug. Workaround is coming this week. (Calibre GUI puts UND in the dc:creator tag.) cap

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