Work

Census language questions in North America

Year: 1998

Type: article

Abstract: This paper analyzes the questions on dominant languages and minority languages included in the 1990 U.S. Census and the 1991 Canadian Census. These questions have served as the basis of much research on the determinants and socioeconomic c onsequences of language usage and proficiency among immigrants and linguistic minorities. The questions and coding procedures for both countries are presented and discussed. The socioeconomic correlates of the language variables are discussed for both countries, indicating the strengths and weaknesses of the various language questions for policy analysis. An alternative set of language questions that would enhance the quality of social science research on the determinants and consequences of language proficiency is presented and evaluated.

Source: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement

DOI: 10.3233/jem-1999-0161

Authors: Barry R. Chiswick, Paul W. Miller

Institutions: IZA - Institute of Labor Economics, University of Illinois Chicago, The University of Western Australia, Curtin University

Language: English

Topic: Linguistic and Sociocultural Studies

Subfield: Linguistics and Language

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W1736768655

FWCI: 2.436

Cites:

Cited by: 17

Related to: 10