Implementation of Apostrophes in Japanese Romanized Cataloging and
Proposed Revision of the ALA-LC Japanese Romanization Table
The Library of Congress recently announced its interest in clarifying the use of
apostrophes in romanized Japanese cataloging. Comments about the announcement were
overwhelmingly in favor of using the apostrophe rather than the alif.
Based on this feedback, the Library of Congress will immediately align the use of the
apostrophe in Japanese romanized cataloging with the published ALA-LC Japanese
romanization standard. LC will also update headings in its bibliographic and authorities
databases to reflect this decision. PCC member institutions are asked to adjust Japanese
romanized cataloging records accordingly as they are encountered.
The announcement about apostrophe use in Japanese romanized cataloging revealed that
additional revisions to the Japanese ALA-LC romanization table were needed. LC's
Policy and Standards Division is posting a revision proposal to the Japanese romanization
table<http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/roman_japanese_revision_Mar2012.pdf… [PDF, 190
KB], along with a separate
document<http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/roman_japanese_changes_Mar2012.p… [PDF, 36
KB] that enumerates changes in the revision proposal. These documents are available for
download on the Library of Congress website at
http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/roman_japanesediacritics_Mar2012.html .
Comments on this proposed revision should be sent to Bruce Johnson in LC's Policy and
Standards Division ( bjoh@loc.gov<mailto:bjoh@loc.gov> ) no later than June 13,
2012.
Bruce Chr. Johnson
The Library of Congress
Policy & Standards Division
Washington, DC 20540-4263 USA
bjoh@loc.gov<mailto:bjoh@loc.gov>
www.loc.gov<http://www.loc.gov/>
202.707.1652 (voice)
202.707.1334 (fax)