Hi all,
I've ben away from the group for a long long time and you may now regard
me a 'passive eavesdropper' but couldn't help writing a few lines about
the question of language info appearing in future Census data. (managed
to get sometime to read a few posts while I'm on my paternity leave and
attending to my family duties)
To my mind, Census has quite a lot to do with the description of the
makeup of a poupulation and identities. The langauge(s) used by an
individual is an important aspect of a person's identity and therefore,
should prove to be a vital characteristic of a person and inform the
demographics of a country.
On a practical note of how the infromation from a censue can be used at
public policy level, I'd argue that the main language (native/first
language) spoken by an individual and competency level in certain
languages (eg:- English and Welsh) may have an effect on employability
propspects and hence, unemployment levels amongst groups of residents in
an area.
My view, therefore, supports prioritizing the inclusion of a set of
questions that tries to identify a person's first language and ability
to use English and Welsh. I agree that questions that focus on language
use may be indicative of a person's skills level in a language. So,
questions on:-
1)first/native langauge and
2)patterns of use (in order to get some idea of the ability
levels)
are both important.
I wondered, what restrictions are there against obtaining about language
qualifications? I'd think such information could give more ideas about
ability levels, which I have argued in the third para. above may be
useful info for policymakers.
Regards
Abdulla
Abdulla Sodiq
ESOL Lecturer
-----Original Message-----
From: ESOL-Research discussion forum
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of James Simpson
Sent: 02 March 2007 19:18
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: [Baalmail] 2011 census: language question
Hello all
News from Anthea Fraser Gupta, who went to the census draft meeting in
Sheffield. It seems there are quite different views of the purpose of a
language question: Do we want to know how many people can't speak enough
English to access services (the ONS line) or do we REALLY want to find
out about the patterns of language ability in the UK?
I would urge anyone planning to attend the consultations to not only
lobby for a language question, but for the right question.
Cheers
James
________________________________
From: [log in to unmask] on behalf of Anthea Fraser
Gupta
Sent: Fri 3/2/2007 4:02 PM
To: baalmail
Subject: [Baalmail] 2011 census: language question
At the Sheffield census consultation on 1 March there were half a dozen
people with a shared interest in the language question (they included
Mahendra Verma, Mike Reynolds, Mary Williams and me). We all joined
forces, and made a collective view felt (from separate tables).
The current census draft (England & Wales) has a question on language
(Q15, which was a question on language ABILITY (not use), but the ONS
have already come to the conclusion it is too complicated. They feel the
main reason for having a language question is to find out who can
communicate with service providers in English and, for those who can't,
what language they would prefer to use for such communication.
There were some worrying things: ONS seemed to find it difficult to
understand that language information was ethnographic and that it could
enhance ethnic group information. They equally rejected the idea that
they wanted people to put down languages they had learned at school.
We tried to persuade them that the question they have in mind is limited
and that a wider question would give such information and more. We also
urged a question on language use rathre than ability.
A language question will only be asked if it is permitted to have 4
pages of personal questions: due to cost and priority of the count it
may be necessary to restrict questions to 3 pages. But if 4 pages are
allowed then language might be on. We need to try to make it as useful
as possible.
I would urge those going to the other consultations to keep at it. In my
own response, I have built on the suggested question and suggested the
following, very simple question:
---------------
What languages have you used in the past year? [If necessary there could
be a bracket, such as "(whether in everyday life, at home, at work, or
on holiday)". ] Tick all boxes that apply [BOX] English [BOX] Welsh
[this could be omitted] [BOX] British Sign Language [BOX] Any other
languages (write in up to two languages) [BOX FOR ANSWER] [BOX FOR
ANSWER]
----------------
Just to keep you all informed, especially those who are going to the
next consultations.
Anthea
* * * * *
Anthea Fraser Gupta (Dr)
School of English, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT
<www.leeds.ac.uk/english/staff/afg>
NB: Reply to [log in to unmask]
* * * * *
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ESOL-Research is a forum for researchers and practitioners with an interest in research into teaching and learning ESOL. ESOL-Research is managed by James Simpson at the Centre for Language Education Research, School of Education, University of Leeds.
To join or leave ESOL-Research, visit
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