Transliterate non-Latin records

Transliterate Arabic

For existing Arabic records that contain only romanized data (Latin-script-equivalent representation of the Arabic script), the client provides two ways to automatically convert and add the equivalent romanized data:

• Use Edit > Transliterate > Arabic [or Persian] to transliterate romanized data in selected fields of a displayed record.
• Set an option (for bibliographic records only) in Tools > Options > International to auto- transliterate romanized data in all Arabic records retrieved interactively from WorldCat (records with language code ara or per and no field 066). Also, select the fields to auto-transliterate.

Transliterate selected fields in a record

1. Display a bibliographic, authority, or constant data record containing romanized data that describes Arabic language materials.
2. Place the cursor in the field containing romanized data that you want to transliterate.
   Or
   Select multiple fields containing romanized data. If you select parts of fields, the client transliterates the entire field(s).
3. Perform one of the following actions:
   • Click Edit > Transliterate > Arabic or press <Alt><E><T><A>.
   • Click Edit > Transliterate > Persian or press <Alt><E><T><P>.
   • Right-click the field and then click Transliterate > Arabic on the pop-up menu.
   • Right-click the field and then click Transliterate > Persian on the pop-up menu.
   
   See Results of transliteration and auto-transliteration for details.

 Note: Although you can transliterate into Arabic while working offline (you do not need to be logged on to the OCLC system), your workstation must have an Internet connection.

Auto-transliterate WorldCat records retrieved interactively

Alternatively, select an option to auto-transliterate romanized data in all WorldCat records you retrieve interactively when the records have the language code ARA but no field 066.

1. Navigate to Tools > Options or press <Alt><T><O>.
2. Click the International tab.
3. Select one of the following check boxes:
   • Auto-transliterate Arabic records
   • Auto-transliterate Persian records
   
    Note: This option works for records that have the language code ara or per but no field 066.
4. (Optional) Select fields to auto-transliterate:
   1. In the International window, select one of the following check boxes:
      • Auto-transliterate Arabic fields
      • Auto-transliterate Persian fields
   2. Click Choose Fields to open the Choose Fields to Auto-Transliterate window.
   3. Click to select or deselect check boxes next to fields 1XX through 8XX (X = any valid tag number). By default, fields 1XX through 8XX are selected.
   4. Click OK to save your settings or Cancel to cancel changes. You are returned to the International window.
5. When finished, perform one of the following actions:
   • Click Close or press <Enter> to apply the settings and close the Options window.
   • Click Apply to apply the settings without closing the window.
   • Click Cancel to cancel changes.
   
   See Results of transliteration and auto-transliteration for details.

 Note: When you retrieve and display WorldCat records, the client marks any auto- transliterated fields with the symbol .

Results of transliteration and auto-transliteration

The client:

• Transliterates the romanized data word by word, independently of context.

   Note: If context other than that of letters within a word is a factor in the appearance of the Arabic text, you may need to edit the Arabic transliteration. See also the caution below.

• Creates an identical field with the same tag number (for example, two 245 tags) to contain the transliterated Arabic script.
• Places the Arabic script field above the associated romanized data field.
• Links the pair of associated fields with a bracket.
• If auto-transliterated (option for bibliographic records only, selected in Tools > Options > International), marks transliterated fields with the symbol .

 Caution: Transliteration handles the following characters incorrectly. Revise the characters manually.

• The final character taa’ marbuta preceded by hamza transliterates incorrectly ashaa’.
• When ‘alif maksura is followed by a period, the transliteration omits ‘alif maksura.
• 'Alif laam followed by ‘alif madda transliterates incorrectly as ‘alif laam ‘alif.
• Hyphens are incorrectly deleted in transliterated text.
• When laam kasra is followed by siin or jiim, the transliteration omits siin or jiim.
• Laam kasra followed by Haa’ transliterates incorrectly as haa’.
• When two laams are followed by capital A (where the first laam is a preposition), the transliteration omits ‘alif hamza. However, laam followed by lowercase “a” transliterates correctly as laam ‘alif.
• When laam hyphen is followed by damma, the transliteration omits ‘alif hamza.

Basis of transliteration

The client transliterates romanized data based on the rules for Arabic given in ALA-LC Romanization Tables.