Awkward Questions: Language Issues in the 2011 Census in England
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| Title: | Awkward Questions: Language Issues in the 2011 Census in England |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Sebba, Mark |
| Source: | Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development. 2018 39(2):181-193. |
| Availability: | Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 13 |
| Publication Date: | 2018 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Evaluative |
| Descriptors: | Census Figures, Foreign Countries, Language Proficiency, English, English (Second Language), Native Language, Validity, Multilingualism, Questionnaires, Measurement, Responses, Second Languages, Second Language Learning |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom (England) |
| DOI: | 10.1080/01434632.2017.1342651 |
| ISSN: | 0143-4632 |
| Abstract: | The 2011 Census in England broke new ground, as a question about language had never previously been asked. After stakeholder consultations and a series of trials, the census authority decided on two questions based on earlier censuses in the USA: one about the respondent's "main language" and another about proficiency in English. This paper provides a critique of the census questions, showing how the pressure to produce questions which were straightforward to answer and consistent with the predominant monolingual ideology led to the choice of two questions which were problematic in different ways. This raises doubts about the validity of the questions themselves and the usefulness of the data collected. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Number of References: | 31 |
| Entry Date: | 2018 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1169247 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | The 2011 Census in England broke new ground, as a question about language had never previously been asked. After stakeholder consultations and a series of trials, the census authority decided on two questions based on earlier censuses in the USA: one about the respondent's "main language" and another about proficiency in English. This paper provides a critique of the census questions, showing how the pressure to produce questions which were straightforward to answer and consistent with the predominant monolingual ideology led to the choice of two questions which were problematic in different ways. This raises doubts about the validity of the questions themselves and the usefulness of the data collected. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0143-4632 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/01434632.2017.1342651 |
