In XForms 1.1 [1] the inline content model and linked schemas allow a plurality 
of help, hint, and alert elements per form control.
For example, at the end of section [2]:

  Content Set   Minimal Content Model
  UI Common     (help|hint|alert|Action)* 

The Recommendation text gives no indication what more than one would do.

I raised this issue today [3] in the Forms WG teleconference.

In the past, there was group discussion about the advisability of using 
multiple label elements distinguished by xml:lang attributes, and we decided to 
support only one label element.  One argument was that I18N best practice calls 
for external references. 

As far as I can tell, we had no discussion about multiple help, hint, or alert 
elements, and I believe their allowance is a result of insufficient precision 
in the inline content model.

We have proposed that a future erratum for XForms 1.1 note in the prose that 
multiple such elements per form control is at best not interoperable, and 
further that the schema definitions for which it can be conveniently disallowed 
be changed to do so.

Are any implementors assigning special meaning to multiple help, hint, and 
alert elements?

Leigh.

[1] http://www.w3.org/TR/2009/REC-xforms-20091020/
[2] http://www.w3.org/TR/2009/REC-xforms-20091020/#N74868
[3] 
http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-forms/2009Dec/att-0021/2009-12-09-v2.html#topic5

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