Language Attributes and Screen Reader Pronunciation
Screen readers can speak many languages, but they need to be told which one to use. Setting the language of your page — and of any passages in a different language — ensures words are pronounced correctly and understandably.
Without it, an English screen reader might attempt French text with English pronunciation rules, producing something nobody can follow.
Set the Page Language
A single attribute on the page declares its primary language. This is a quick, foundational fix that affects the entire site.
Mark Passages in Other Languages
When part of a page is in another language — a quote, a name, a product term — marking just that section lets the screen reader switch voices accordingly, so the words are pronounced as a native speaker would expect.
- Quotations in a foreign language.
- Multilingual menus or selectors.
- Phrases that should be spoken in their native tongue.
A Small Setting, A Big Difference
Getting the language right is one of the least visible but most impactful fixes for screen-reader users. It costs nothing in design or layout, yet the difference between correctly and incorrectly pronounced content can be the difference between clarity and complete confusion.
If you need a hand with any of this, your Progressive Robot delivery team is ready to help. Raise a ticket from the Support area of your client portal or speak to your account manager and we will guide you through the next steps.