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Data Element Detail

Main language other than English spoken at home
Identifying and Definitional Attributes
QH 040848 v1
Data Element
Data Element
Current
01-Mar-2005		Superseded
29-Jan-2018
Standard
01-Mar-2005
30-Jun-2017
The language reported by a person as the main language other than English spoken by that person in his/her home (or most recent private residential setting occupied by the person) to communicate with other residents of the home or setting and regular visitors.
Main language other than English spoken at home
Representational Attributes
Numeric Character
Code
N(4)
4
4
Permissible Values

Permissible_values

-
Supplementary Values

Supplemenary_values

-
Collection and Usage Attributes
The Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL) has a three-level hierarchical structure. The most detailed level of the classification consists of base units (languages) which are represented by four-digit codes. The second level of the classification comprises narrow groups of languages (the Narrow Group level), identified by the first two digits. The most general level of the classification consists of broad groups of languages (the Broad Group level) and is identified by the first digit. The classification includes Indigenous Australian languages and sign languages.

For example, the Lithuanian language has a code of 3102. In this case 3 denotes that it is an Eastern European language, while 31 denotes that it is a Baltic language.

The Pintupi Aboriginal language has a code of 8217. In this case 8 denotes that it is an Australian Indigenous language and 82 denotes that the language is Central Aboriginal.

Language data may be output at the Broad Group level, Narrow Group level or base level of the classification. If necessary significant Languages within a Narrow Group can be presented separately while the remaining Languages in the Narrow Group are aggregated. The same principle can be adopted to highlight significant Narrow Groups within a Broad Group.

Persons not in private residential settings should respond for at home as the most recent private residential setting in which that person has resided.

The reference in the title to at home may cause offence to homeless persons and should be shortened to main language other than English spoken where applicable.
Data collected at the 4 digit level (specific language) will provide more detailed information than that collected at the 2 digit level. It is recommended that data be collected at the 4 digit level however where this is not possible data should be collected at the 2 digit level.
Recommended question:
Do you/Does the person/Does (name) speak a language other than English at home?
(If more than one language, indicate the one that is spoken most often.)
No (English only) ____
Yes, Italian ____
Yes, Greek ____
Yes, Cantonese ____
Yes, Mandarin ____
Yes, Arabic ____
Yes, Vietnamese ____
Yes, German ____
Yes, Spanish
Yes, Tagalog (Filipino) ____
Yes, Other (please specify) ______________________________
This list reflects the 9 most common languages spoken in Australia. Languages may be added or deleted from the above short list to reflect characteristics of the population of interest.
Alternatively a tick box for 'English' and an 'Other - please specify' response category could be used.
Relational Attributes
Related Metadata References

Related Metadata References_IR

  • 1 - 3
ViewRelationshipMetadata Item TypeMetadata Item SubtypeNameIdentifier & VersionApproval Status
Has been superseded byData ElementData ElementPerson-main language other than English spoken at home (ASCL 2016)QH 040848 Version 2Current
Relates toData ElementData ElementCountry of birthQH 040161 Version 4Superseded
Relates toData ElementData ElementPerson-proficiency in spoken EnglishQH 040849 Version 1Current
Implementation in Metadata Sets

Implemented

No Metadata Items
Source and Reference Attributes
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
METeOR data element: Person-main language other than English spoken at home, code (ASCL 1997) NN{NN}, Identifier 270175, Health standard 01/03/2005 https://meteor.aihw.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/270175/meteorItemView/long;
METeOR data element: Person-main language other than English spoken at home, code (ASCL 2005) NN{NN}, Identifier 304133, Health standard 08/02/2006 https://meteor.aihw.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/304133/meteorItemView/long;
METeOR data element: Person-main language other than English spoken at home, code (ASCL 2011) NN{NN}, Identifier 460125, Health standard 13/10/2011 https://meteor.aihw.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/460125/meteorItemView/long
English proficiency; Language;