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LANGUAGE QUESTIONS IN HUMANITARIAN DATA COLLECTION

Language-related questions for new and ongoing surveys

If aid organizations are to communicate effectively with the people they aim to help, in the languages they are most comfortable with, they need to know what those languages are. Existing language data is often outdated and does not necessarily reflect large-scale population movements. To meet the need for up-to-date information, TWB has successfully worked with partners like IOM DTM, REACH and UNICEF to integrate standard language questions into ongoing surveys.

Below we propose a set of standard questions that can be included in any survey. All questions are formatted to conform with OpenDataKit (ODK) standards.

We have carefully developed these questions and tested them in several languages and contexts to make sure that each question obtains relevant answers. However, we recommend that you test your survey instrument with a small sample, in line with good data collection practices.

The languages are listed using the international language codes.

If you have any questions or comments, let us know at [email protected]


       Use this if you can include only a single language question in your survey
       Use this if you can include up to four language questions in your survey
      Main language

      Individual

      PHRASING What is the main language you use at home?
      QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages, [American] Sign Language, other ______
      QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
      NOTES Use the wording “main language spoken at home” as opposed to “mother tongue” or “primary language.” In our experience, this wording is the easiest to translate and helps to ensure that this questions focuses on language, and not ethnicity. Include a list of answers with as many local languages as you know. Making the question open ended is likely to cause significant coding and consistency issues due to multiple different spellings, or different dialects of the same language being referred to separately.
      Download all questions for individuals


      Household

      PHRASING What is the main language your household uses at home?
      QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages, [American] Sign Language, other ______
      QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
      NOTES Use the wording “main language spoken at home” as opposed to “mother tongue” or “primary language.” In our experience, this wording is the easiest to translate and helps to ensure that this questions focuses on language, and not ethnicity. Include a list of answers with as many local languages as you know. Making the question open ended is likely to cause significant coding and consistency issues due to multiple different spellings, or different dialects of the same language being referred to separately.


      Key informant

      PHRASING What is the primary language used by the community at this site?
      QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages, [American] Sign Language, other ______
      QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
      NOTES Include a list of answers with as many local languages as you know. Making the question open ended is likely to cause significant coding and consistency issues due to multiple different spellings, or different dialects of the same language being referred to separately. This question is best when paired with the "other spoken languages" question as it will help to know when the language of responders is different than the language of the community.


           Use this if you can include up to four language questions in your survey
          Preferred spoken language

          Individual

          PHRASING Which language do you prefer to receive spoken or signed information in?
          QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages, [American] Sign Language, other ______
          QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (multiple answers)
          NOTES Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question.


          Household

          PHRASING Which language does your household prefer to receive spoken or signed information in?
          QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages, [American] Sign Language, other ______
          QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
          NOTES  Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question.


          Key informant

          PHRASING Which language do the majority of people at this site prefer to receive spoken or signed information in?
          QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages, [American] Sign Language, other ______
          QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
          NOTES Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question.

           


             Use this if you can include up to four language questions in your survey
            Preferred written language

            Individual

            PHRASING Which language do you prefer to receive written or signed information in?
            QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages, other ______, None
            QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
            NOTES Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question. Make sure to include a "none" option in case the person wants to specify that they cannot read and do not prefer to receive any written information.


            Household

            PHRASING Which language does your household prefer to receive written information in?
            QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages, other ______, None
            QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
            NOTES  Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question. Make sure to include a "none" option in case the respondent wants to specify that no one in their household can read and they do not prefer to receive any written information.


            Key informant

            PHRASING Which language do the majority of people at this site prefer to receive written information in?
            QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages, other ______, None
            QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
            NOTES Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question. Make sure to include a "none" option in case the respondent wants to specify that no one at this site can read and they do not prefer to receive any written information.

             


               Use this if you can include up to four language questions in your survey
              Preferred mode of information

              Individual

              PHRASING How do you prefer to receive information?
              QUESTION CHOICES In person, Radio, TV, Poster, Leaflet, Phone call, SMS, other
              QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
              NOTES List out other formats that may be relevant in your context.


              Household

              PHRASING How does your household prefer to receive information?
              QUESTION CHOICES In person, Radio, TV, Poster, Leaflet, Phone call, SMS, other
              QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
              NOTES List out other formats that may be relevant in your context.


              Key informant

              PHRASING How do the majority of people at this site prefer to receive information?
              QUESTION CHOICES In person, Radio, TV, Poster, Leaflet, Phone call, SMS, other
              QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
              NOTES List out other formats that may be relevant in your context.

               


                Other spoken languages

                Individual

                PHRASING Which other language(s) do you speak?
                QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages, [American] Sign Language, other ______
                QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (multiple answers)
                NOTES Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question.


                Household

                PHRASING Which other language(s) do members of your household speak?
                QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages, [American] Sign Language, other ______
                QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (multiple answers)
                NOTES  Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question.


                Key informant

                PHRASING Which other language(s) are spoken by the community at this site?
                QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages, [American] Sign Language, other ______
                QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (multiple answers)
                NOTES Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question.

                 


                  Ability to speak given language

                  Individual

                  PHRASING How well can you speak [English]?
                  QUESTION CHOICES Very well, well, not well, not at all.
                  QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
                  NOTES Replace "English" with any relevant language. Where possible, check the overall accuracy of this self-reported comprehension rating through comprehension testing with a sample of respondents.


                  Household

                  PHRASING How well can members of your household speak [English]?
                  QUESTION CHOICES Very well, well, not well, not at all.
                  QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
                  NOTES Replace "English" with any relevant language. This can be a challenging question to ask in household surveys where it's very likely that different members of the household have different language skills. Where possible, check the overall accuracy of this self-reported comprehension rating through comprehension testing with a sample of respondents.

                   


                    Ability to write in given language

                    Individual

                    PHRASING How well can you read [English]?
                    QUESTION CHOICES Very well, well, not well, not at all.
                    QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
                    NOTES Replace "English" with any relevant language. Where possible, check the overall accuracy of this self-reported comprehension rating through comprehension testing with a sample of respondents.


                    Household

                    PHRASING How well can members of your household read [English]?
                    QUESTION CHOICES Very well, well, not well, not at all.
                    QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
                    NOTES Replace "English" with any relevant language. Where possible, check the overall accuracy of this self-reported comprehension rating through comprehension testing with a sample of respondents.

                     


                      Languages spoken by service providers

                      Individual

                      PHRASING Which language do service providers mainly use when speaking with you?
                      QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages
                      QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
                      NOTES This question is best when paired with the Other spoken languages question, as it will help to know when responders are using a spoken language that is different than the language(s) of the community.


                      Household

                      PHRASING Which language do service providers mainly use when speaking with your household?
                      QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages
                      QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
                      NOTES This question is best when paired with the Other spoken languages question, as it will help to know when responders are using a spoken language that is different than the language(s) of the community.


                      Key informant

                      PHRASING Which language do service providers mainly use to speak with people at this site?
                      QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages
                      QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
                      NOTES This question is best when paired with the Other spoken languages question, as it will help to know when responders are using a spoken language that is different than the language(s) of the community.

                       


                        Languages used by service providers in written format

                        Individual

                        PHRASING Which language do service providers mainly use when sharing written information with you?
                        QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages
                        QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
                        NOTES This question is best when paired with the Other spoken languages question, as it will help to know when responders are using a spoken language that is different than the language(s) of the community.


                        Household

                        PHRASING Which language do service providers mainly use when sharing written information with your household?
                        QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages
                        QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
                        NOTES This question is best when paired with the Other spoken languages question, as it will help to know when responders are using a spoken language that is different than the language(s) of the community.


                        Key informant

                        PHRASING Which language do service providers mainly produce written material in for people at this site?
                        QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages
                        QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
                        NOTES This question is best when paired with the Other spoken languages question, as it will help to know when responders are using a spoken language that is different than the language(s) of the community.

                         


                          Preferred means of feedback to service providers

                          Individual

                          PHRASING How do you prefer to give feedback or share concerns with service providers?
                          QUESTION CHOICES In person, Phone call, SMS, Suggestion box, Voice recorder, Radio, other
                          QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
                          NOTES List out other formats that may be relevant in your context.


                          Household

                          PHRASING How does your household prefer to give feedback or share concerns with service providers?
                          QUESTION CHOICES In person, Phone call, SMS, Suggestion box, Voice recorder, Radio, other
                          QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
                          NOTES List out other formats that may be relevant in your context.

                           


                            Preferred language of feedback to service providers

                            Individual

                            PHRASING Which language would you prefer to use when giving feedback or sharing concerns with service providers?
                            QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages.
                            QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
                            NOTES Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question.


                            Household

                            PHRASING Which language would your household prefer to use when giving feedback or sharing concerns with service providers?
                            QUESTION CHOICES List of local languages.
                            QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
                            NOTES Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question.

                             


                              Ability to understand the language in which spoken information is shared

                              Key informant

                              PHRASING Are people at this site able to properly understand the spoken language in which information is shared?
                              QUESTION CHOICES Yes, No
                              QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
                              NOTES

                               


                                Ability to understand the language in which written information is shared

                                Key informant

                                PHRASING Are people at this site able to properly read the language in which written information is shared?
                                QUESTION CHOICES Yes, No
                                QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
                                NOTES

                                 


                                  Language as a communication barrier

                                  Key informant

                                  PHRASING Is language a major barrier between the community and service providers at this site?
                                  QUESTION CHOICES Yes, No
                                  QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
                                  NOTES Follow up with a question on why if reply is positive.

                                   


                                    Groups struggling to receive information

                                    Key informant

                                    PHRASING Are there any particular groups of people who struggle to receive information in this community? If so, please specify.
                                    QUESTION CHOICES No, Yes
                                    QUESTION FORMAT Multiple choice (single answer)
                                    NOTES If answer is positive, include list of potentially excluded groups in a follow-up question (older people, persons with disabilities, children, women, pregnant women, minority ethnic groups, other).

                                     

                                  Downloadable question bank
                                  XLS files formatted for ODK or Kobo Toolbox

                                  Ukraine response

                                  Recommended questions on language and communication for needs assessments during the 2022 Ukraine response, including translations into relevant languages.

                                   Questions for individuals
                                  Czech (CS) · Hungarian (HU) · Romanian (RO) · Russian (RU) · Slovak (SK) · Ukrainian (UK) · German (DE) · Polish (PL) · Multilingual (EN, CS, HU, RO, RU, SK, UK, DE, PL)
                                   Questions for households
                                  Czech (CS) · Hungarian (HU) · Romanian (RO) · Russian (RU) · Slovak (SK) · Ukrainian (UK) · German (DE) · Polish (PL) · Multilingual (EN, CS, HU, RO, RU, SK, UK, DE, PL)
                                   Questions for key informants
                                  Czech (CS) · Hungarian (HU) · Romanian (RO) · Russian (RU) · Slovak (SK) · Ukrainian (UK) · German (DE) · Polish (PL) · Multilingual (EN, CS, HU, RO, RU, SK, UK, DE, PL)

                                   

                                  Pakistan flood response

                                  Recommended questions on language and communication for needs assessments as part of Pakistan flood response, including translations into relevant languages.

                                   Questions for individuals
                                  Balochi (BA) · Pashto (PS) · Punjabi (PA) · Saraiki (SAR) · Sindhi (SD) · Urdu (UR)
                                   Questions for households
                                  Balochi (BA) · Pashto (PS) · Punjabi (PA) · Saraiki (SAR) · Sindhi (SD) · Urdu (UR)
                                   Questions for key informants
                                  Balochi (BA) · Pashto (PS) · Punjabi (PA) · Saraiki (SAR) · Sindhi (SD) · Urdu (UR)

                                  Downloadable question bank
                                  XLS files formatted for ODK or Kobo Toolbox

                                   Questions for individuals
                                  Download 1 question
                                  English (EN) · Spanish (ES) · French (FR) · Portuguese (PT) · Arabic (AR) · Sinhala (SI) · Tamil (TA) · Nyanja (NY) · Congolese Swahili (SWC)
                                  Download 4 questions
                                  English (EN) · Spanish (ES) · French (FR) · Portuguese (PT) · Arabic (AR) · Sinhala (SI) · Tamil (TA) · Nyanja (NY) · Congolese Swahili (SWC)
                                   Questions for households
                                  Download 1 question (English)
                                  Download 4 questions (English)
                                   Questions for key informants
                                  Download 1 question (English)
                                  Download 4 questions (English)
                                   List of languages by country
                                  Download the list of languages for all countries

                                  Tools and resources

                                  Why we need to collect data on the languages of crisis-affected people (PDF)
                                  English (EN) · Spanish (ES) · French (FR) · Portuguese (PT) · Arabic (AR) · Congolese Swahili (SWC) · Lingala (LIN) Facile · Nande (NNB)

                                  Five easy steps to integrate language data into humanitarian and development programs

                                  20+ language tips for effective humanitarian data collection

                                  Rapid guide to localizing and translating survey tools

                                  MSNA language data can help humanitarians communicate better with affected people (PDF)


                                  News

                                  TWB welcomes the RWS Foundation as Sapphire sponsor for 2023

                                  February 28, 2023

                                  Celebrating 100,000 TWB community members

                                  August 8, 2022

                                  TWB welcomes Semantix and TransPerfect in joint Sapphire sponsorship

                                  April 5, 2022

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