role for expressing text messages in book text?

[gregoriopellegrino]

In many books, you will find examples of text messages, such as written letters, emails, chat messages, text messages, and so on, that are graphically formatted to clearly indicate where the message begins and ends. For example, messages may be indented or written in italics or bold or in a different font. However, there does not appear to be a standardized way of semantically identifying these elements.

HTML tags such as <blockquote> are often used for text quotations, but they do not seem suitable in this case since text messages are not quotations of other text.

Orr request is to explore possible ways for semantic identification of text messages such as these. This could be useful to improve the accessibility of digital content and make it more understandable for readers with certain disabilities.

[pkra]

What would the practical benefits of such a role be for end users? Are there specific affordances that assistive technology (or maybe reading systems) would provide?

It might also help to hear about current patterns and tricks that have worked well for users (and how they've helped).

[mattgarrish]

Wouldn't article already be a good fit for these?

[gregoriopellegrino]

Thank you for your feedback

What would the practical benefits of such a role be for end users? Are there specific affordances that assistive technology (or maybe reading systems) would provide?

I think it is important to convey the information that is conveyed visually in the graphic layout, even to those who cannot see (e.g., if it is text is indented, written in a typewriter-style font). Therefore, I think it is necessary to express the semantic value of why the text is formatted a certain way, so that eventually assistive technologies can pick it up and pass the information to the user. In a long text in particular, it is important to know when the formatted "message" begins, but especially when it ends, so that it can be distinguished from the rest of the main text.

Wouldn't article already be a good fit for these?

Perhaps so: the name article is perhaps a bit misleading, but the definition may include these types of messages.