HTML elements with lang and xml:lang must have the same base language
What is the problem?
The html-xml-lang-mismatch rule occurs when the lang and xml:lang attributes on an HTML element specify different languages.
Impacted Groups
Why is this important?
Inconsistent language attributes can confuse assistive technologies and users, especially those who rely on language-specific features like screen readers and translation tools. This can lead to a poorer user experience and hinder accessibility.
How to solve this issue
To fix this issue, ensure that both the lang and xml:lang attributes on the <html> element specify the same language code. This consistency will help assistive technologies correctly interpret the content and provide appropriate language-specific support.
Rule Information
Rule ID
html-xml-lang-mismatch
Severity
Manual Review Required
Rule Group
WCAG 2.0 Level A & AA Rules
Guidelines
- WCAG 2.1 (A)
- WCAG 2.0 (A)
- WCAG 2.2 (A)
- EN 301 549
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