Australian Bureau of Statistics
Celebrating the International Year of Statistics 2013

Appendix A - Explanatory Script - Main Language Spoken at Home

Why are these question modules asked?

Main Language Spoken at Home can aid as an indicator of language patterns in Australia. The language data related to this variable can provide useful information about the language development requirements, any deficiency in English and specific needs a person may have when accessing services.


Question module for Detailed Data

Alternative One


Which language [do you] [does the person] [does (name)] [will (name of child under two years)] mainly speak at home? (If more than one language is spoken, indicate the one that is spoken most often.)

English
Italian
Greek
Cantonese
Arabic
Mandarin
Vietnamese
Spanish
German
Hindi
Other - please specify ..................

Interview based questionnaires

The interviewer marks the box for the language the respondent identifies as the main language spoken. If the respondent identifies a language not in the tick box list, the interviewer writes the name of the identified language in the 'Other - please specify' category. The interviewer could use a prompt if a multiple response is given after asking the question.

Self enumerated questionnaires

The respondent indicates the main language spoken by putting a mark in one box in the tick box list. If the language identified is not on the list, the respondent can write the language in the 'Other - please specify' category.

Alternative Two

Which language [do you] [does the person] [does (name)] [will (name of child under two years)] mainly speak at home?

English
Other - please specify ....................


Interview based questionnaires

The interviewer is instructed to mark the 'English' box if the respondent identifies that English is the main language spoken at home. If the respondent identifies a different language the interviewer can write the name of the language in the 'Other - please specify' category. The interviewer can prompt the respondent if they name more than one language as mainly spoken at home.

Self enumerated questionnaires

The respondent marks the 'English' box if they identify that English is the main language spoken at home. If a different language is identified by them, they write the name of the language in the 'Other - please specify' category.

Question module for Minimum Data

Which language [do you] [does the person] [does (name)] [will (name of child under two years)] mainly speak at home?

English
Other


Interview based questionnaires

The interviewer marks the 'English' box if the respondent identifies that English is the main language spoken at home. If the respondent identifies a different language the interviewer marks the 'Other' box.

Self enumerated questionnaires

The respondent marks the 'English' box if they identify that English is the main language spoken at home. The respondent marks the 'Other' box if they identify that another language is spoken at home.

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