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Languages Spoken at Home - Classification and Coding Language data in Australia should be collected, aggregated and disseminated using the Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL), 2011 (ABS cat. no. 1267.0). The two classification criteria used to form categories in the ASCL are:
The most detailed level of the classification consists of 432 (216 Indigenous and 216 non Indigenous) base level units. Included in the 432 base level units are 388 specific languages and 44 'not elsewhere classified' (nec) categories, used to code languages not separately listed in the classification. The second level of the classification comprises 51 narrow groups of languages that are similar in terms of the classification criteria, including seven 'other' categories which consist of languages which do not fit into a particular narrow group. For three narrow groups of Australian Indigenous languages (Narrow Group 81 Arnhem Land and Daly River Region Languages, Narrow Group 82 Yolngu Matha and Narrow Group 86 Arandic) three digit levels are positioned between the narrow group and language level of the classification. There are 13 three digit level categories. They provide meaningful and useful groups of languages. The first and most general level of the classification comprises nine broad groups of languages including one 'other' category. Broad groups are formed by aggregating geographically proximate narrow groups. The code structure One, two and four digit codes are assigned to the first, second and third level units of the classification respectively.
Residual categories and codes Within each narrow group, a four digit code, consisting of the narrow group code followed by the digits '99', is reserved for a residual 'not elsewhere classified' (nec) or 'other' category. Similarly, within the third level classification of Australian Indigenous Languages the three digit group code may be followed by '9' to denote a 'not elsewhere classified' (nec) or 'other' category. All languages which are not separately identified in the classification are included in these residual 'nec' or 'other' categories of the related classification level. Supplementary codes Supplementary codes are not part of the classification structure. They exist for operational reasons only, and no data would be coded to them if sufficiently detailed responses were obtained in all instances. They are used to process inadequately described responses in statistical collections. The codes are of two types:
Codes ending in zero are described as 'not further defined' (nfd) codes. These codes classify responses to a question about language which cannot be coded to the language level of the classification but which can be coded to a higher level of the classification structure. Responses which do not relate directly to a particular language category, but which are within the range of languages relating to a particular narrow group, are coded to that narrow group. Such responses are allocated a 'nfd' code consisting of the two digit code of the narrow group followed by 00. Language responses which do not directly relate to a particular narrow group or language category, but are within the range of languages relating to a particular broad group, are coded to that broad group. These responses are allocated an 'nfd' code consisting of the one digit code of the broad group followed by 000. Language responses which can only be coded at the broad or narrow group levels of the classification can be processed within a collection coded at the four digit level. Four digit codes commencing with 000 are supplementary codes included for operational purposes to facilitate the coding of responses such as inadequately described languages, etc., which contain insufficient information to be allocated a language, narrow group or broad group code. Scope of the variable The variable Languages Spoken at Home applies to all persons.
Application of the classification to other variables The ASCL can be used for a variety of variables. These include: Main Language Spoken at Home, Main Language Other Than English Spoken at Home, First Language Spoken, Language of Greatest Competency, and Preferred Language. Language responses to the Languages Spoken at Home question are coded to the ASCL, or to one of the supplementary codes, using the guidelines detailed in that classification. A coding index has been developed to assist in the implementation and use of the ASCL. It contains a comprehensive list of probable responses to questions relating to language and their correct classification codes. Each language response is matched with an entry in the ASCL Coding Index to determine the correct code. Use of the coding index enables responses to be coded accurately to the appropriate category of the classification.
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