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Awkward Questions: Language Issues in the 2011 Census in England

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Bibliographic Details
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
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  Data: Awkward Questions: Language Issues in the 2011 Census in England
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Multilingual+and+Multicultural+Development%22"><i>Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development</i></searchLink>. 2018 39(2):181-193.
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  Data: 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
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  Data: 13
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Census+Figures%22">Census Figures</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Proficiency%22">Language Proficiency</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22English%22">English</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22English+%28Second+Language%29%22">English (Second Language)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Native+Language%22">Native Language</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Validity%22">Validity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Multilingualism%22">Multilingualism</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Questionnaires%22">Questionnaires</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Measurement%22">Measurement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Responses%22">Responses</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Languages%22">Second Languages</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Learning%22">Second Language Learning</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1080/01434632.2017.1342651
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  Data: 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.
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