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Data Element Detail

Person-preferred language (ASCL 2005 Index)
Identifying and Definitional Attributes
QH 040722 v1
Data Element
Data Element
Draft
25-Aug-2011		Current
01-Dec-2011		Superseded
30-Jun-2012
Standard
01-Jul-2011
30-Jun-2012
The language (including sign language) most preferred by the person for communication.
Health and welfare services
Preferred language (6-digit)
Representational Attributes
Numeric Character
Code
N(6)
6
6
Permissible Values

Permissible_values

A valid code from the corporate reference data system (CRDS) Language Coding Index data set based on the Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL 2005) Coding Index and maintained by the Statistical Standards Unit (SSU), Health Statistics Centre.
Supplementary Values

Supplemenary_values

-
Collection and Usage Attributes
Person-preferred language (ASCL 2005 Index) is a Queensland Health (QH) modified version of the Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL) Coding Index which allows the use of synonyms and sub-languages that map to a core language
category (e.g. Sardinian to Italian).

Preferred language for communication may be a language other than English even where the person can speak fluent English.

This data element values comprise a subset of the ASCL 4-digit (core) codes and QH 2-digit (index) codes, which, when combined create unique 6-digit preferred language codes. Double zero (00) index codes represent ASCL broad language categories.

Example of Italian language category codes:
Core Index Preferred language
2401 00 240100 Italian
2401 01 240101 Calabrian
2401 02 240102 Catanese
2401 03 240103 Sardinian
2401 04 240104 Sicilian

As a person's preferred language for communication may not always be identical to a 4-digit classification category, the Coding Index provides a link to an appropriate classification category.

A classification is used to aggregate responses for statistical reporting purposes and contains terms such as Not elsewhere classified, etc. Current business needs for recording language within client interface applications are not well served by the use of a classification structure. The index approach allows a client's language to be documented at an appropriate level of granularity, and provides for easier assignment yet maintains compliance with the national standard in relation to collection of language data.

Code 000000 (Inadequately described) should be used where insufficient information is provided or the information is unknown (e.g. when a person is unconscious).

Code 000200 (Not Stated) is to be used when no information is provided (e.g. when a person refuses to provide the information).
The question that should be asked is 'What is your preferred language for communicating when receiving health care services?'

The reference to 'receiving heath care services' will assist in advising that the question relates to their preferred language for communicating in a health setting as opposed to at home or any other general social interaction.
An important indicator of ethnicity, especially for persons born in non-English-speaking countries. Assists in the planning and provision of multilingual services and facilitate program and service delivery for migrants and other non-English speakers.
Relational Attributes
Related Metadata References

Related Metadata References_IR

  • 1 - 3
ViewRelationshipMetadata Item TypeMetadata Item SubtypeNameIdentifier & VersionApproval Status
Has been superseded byData ElementData ElementPerson-preferred language (ASCL 2011 Index)QH 040722 Version 2Superseded
Is mappable toData ElementData ElementPerson-preferred language (ASCL 2005)QH 041586 Version 1Superseded
Relates toData ElementData ElementPerson-country of birthQH 040161 Version 5Superseded
Implementation in Metadata Sets

Implemented

  • 1 - 1
ViewMetadata Item TypeMetadata Item SubtypeNameIdentifer & VersionObligationApproval StatusEffective FromEffective To
Information AssetData CollectionQueensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection (QHAPDC)QH 020001 Version 1MandatorySuperseded01-Jul-201130-Mar-2012
Source and Reference Attributes
Australian Bureau of Statistics
ABS cat. no. 1267.0. Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL) Coding Index, Second edition, 2005
CRDI; CRDI QHAPDC; Language; Preferred language;