blog.andyhume.net

Thoughts and commentary on web development

HTML 5 and semantics

The HTML 5 speccontains:

2.7.4. The small element

Now, it appears that the WHATWG people have decided that this means:

“The small element represents small print (part of a document often describing legal restrictions, such as copyrights or other disadvantages), or other side comments.”

Now, is it just me or is the small element not a particularly semantic way of saying, “this might be a copyright notice… then again, it might be some kind of legal thing, or maybe just a side comment”.

Small to me is presentational, in the same way that the b and i elements were presentational.

I understand that ‘small print’ has a semantic meaning in terms of a legal document or contract. But it just seems wrong to use it in a mark-up language.

Any thoughts?

andyhume.net

I build web sites and web applications. I currently work as a web developer at Clearleft in Brighton. I also write articles for magazines like .Net, and Computer Arts Projects. Sometimes I speak or give lectures on web design and development at universities and colleges. Get in touch.