1200.0.55.005 - Language Standards, 2012, Version 1.1  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 26/09/2012  First Issue
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Contents >> Languages Spoken at Home (LSH) >> Collection Methods - LSH

Languages Spoken at Home - Collection Methods



Standard question module

The standard question module for Languages Spoken at Home elicits the most detailed responses and data.

There are two alternatives which may be used, depending on space and cost considerations:
  • Alternative one: a set of 'most likely' languages with tick boxes and an 'Other -please specify' response category for writing languages not specified in the tick box list
  • Alternative two: includes adequate response space to enable respondents to write in all languages that apply
Alternative two is more compact but will incur additional coding costs.

Alternative one

The standard question module for Languages Spoken at Home follows:

Q1. Which language or languages [do you] [does the person] [does (name)] [will (name of child under two years)] speak at home?
(Please indicate all languages spoken)


Englishq
Mandarinq
Italianq
Arabicq
Cantoneseq
Greekq
Vietnamese q
Spanishq
Hindiq
Tagalogq
Other - Please Specify..................

For self enumerated questionnaires, respondents should be instructed to mark all boxes that apply as well as write in all non listed languages that apply.

The tick box list for this question module includes languages based on their statistical significance in the Australian context. The list is designed for efficiency when coding responses. The list is reviewed when data indicate that different languages have been more or less frequently reported in the ABS Census.

The tick box list can be extended where circumstances enable longer lists, consistent with the ASCL, to be displayed, such as in electronic collection drop down lists. Similarly, if there are space constraints on paper forms, the tick box list can be truncated.

The 'Other - please specify' category is included to enable respondents, whose languages are not listed, to write their languages in the the spaces provided.

Alternative two

This alternative question may be used when detailed language data is required from a survey instrument which has space constraints. The question can be asked using only spaces for respondents to write in their languages. Additional coding costs will be incurred since each response will need to be matched to an entry in the Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL), 2011 (ABS cat. no. 1267.0).


Q1. Which language or languages [do you] [does the person] [does (name)] [will (name of child under two years) speak at home?
(Please specify all languages spoken)

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Each alternative to the question module may be accompanied by a brief explanatory note about why Language data is collected and detailed instructions about how to answer the question. The explanatory note can be included with the chosen question module or in supplementary documentation. The recommended text for the explanatory note is in Appendix A

Standard input categories

The standard input categories for Languages Spoken at Home are the same as the categories of the ASCL plus the supplementary codes.





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