Person—first language spoken, code (ASCL 2005) NN{NN}
Data Element Attributes
Identifying and definitional attributes | |
Metadata item type: | Data Element |
|---|---|
| Short name: | First language spoken |
| METEOR identifier: | 304131 |
| Registration status: |
|
| Definition: | The language the person identifies as being the first language that they could understand to the extent of being able to conduct a conversation, as represented by a code. |
| Data Element Concept: | Person—first language spoken |
Value domain attributes | |
Representational attributes | |
| Classification scheme: | Australian Standard Classification of Languages 2005 |
|---|---|
| Representation class: | Code |
| Data type: | Number |
| Format: | NN{NN} |
| Maximum character length: | 4 |
Collection and usage attributes | |
| Guide for use: | 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 Australian Indigenous languages and sign languages. For example, the Lithuanian language has a code of 3102. In this case 3 denote that it is an Eastern European language, while 31 denote that it is a Baltic language. The Pintupi Aboriginal language is coded as 8713. In this case 8 denote that it is an Australian Indigenous language and 87 denote that the language is Western Desert language. 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. |
Data element attributes | |
Collection and usage attributes | |
| Collection methods: | Data should be captured, classified and stored at the base level of the classification wherever possible as this allows the greatest flexibility for output. Recommended question: Which language did you/the person/name first speak as a child? English While agencies are encouraged to use the recommended question described above, it is acknowledged that this is not always possible in practice. For example, where the data collection is a by-product of the provision of a health or community service, the information may be ascertained using different means. However, this standard should be used wherever practically possible. |
| Comments: | Persons whose first language is not English have been identified by service providers as a population group that may experience disadvantage when seeking to obtain equal access to government and community programs and services in Australia. Data relating to 'First language spoken' may thus provide a surrogate indicator of disadvantage potentially associated with a lack of English competence or with other factors associated with cultural background. |
Source and reference attributes | |
| Origin: | Australian Bureau of Statistics 2005. Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL) 2005. Cat. no. 1267.0. 2nd Edition, Canberra: ABS. Viewed 29 July 2005. |
Relational attributes | |
| Related metadata references: | Supersedes Person—first language spoken, code (ASCL 1997) N[NNN]
Has been superseded by Person—first language spoken, code (ASCL 2011) NN{NN}
See also Person—country of birth, code (SACC 1998) NNNN
See also Person—main language other than English spoken at home, code (ASCL 2005) NN{NN}
See also Person—proficiency in spoken English, code N
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