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Home » Topics » General » Missing 'language of inerview' variable in African surveys
Missing 'language of inerview' variable in African surveys [message #3314] Thu, 20 November 2014 01:19 Go to next message
obarbiero is currently offline  obarbiero
Messages: 1
Registered: November 2014
Member
I am trying to assess the language used by the individuals in their daily life and their tribe/ethnic group. In the DHS Model Woman's and Man's questionnaire I have seen that some data is gathered on the language of the questionnaire, the language of the interview, the native language of respondent and whether a translator was needed or not. However, by reading the Coded Manual listing all the variables present in the surveys, this information about language does not seem to be available. Could you please clarify this point to me? I would really benefit from any information about the language in which the interview was held or about which languages the interviewd people could speak.
Thank you!
Re: Missing 'language of inerview' variable in African surveys [message #3347 is a reply to message #3314] Tue, 25 November 2014 11:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Liz-DHS
Messages: 1516
Registered: February 2013
Senior Member
Dear User,
The language variables you have seen in prior surveys have been country specific. However, in the new phase of DHS surveys, these language variables are part of the core and will have standard recode variables assigned to them. If a country does not need to use them, in the recode file they will be marked as Not Applicable. I hope this answers your questions regarding language.
Thank you!
Language of interview/survey instrument in multi-lingual countries [message #8827 is a reply to message #3347] Mon, 28 December 2015 09:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
amaustin is currently offline  amaustin
Messages: 20
Registered: February 2015
Member
Hello,
When DHS surveys are implemented, in countries with multiple language groups, how does the DHS ensure that the questions are understood correctly by all? i.e. are the surveys in English and the questions translated, and answers recorded in English? Are the surveys translated into the local language?
Thank you,
Anne
Re: Language of interview/survey instrument in multi-lingual countries [message #8834 is a reply to message #8827] Tue, 29 December 2015 16:58 Go to previous message
Liz-DHS
Messages: 1516
Registered: February 2013
Senior Member
Dear User,
Here is a response from one of our subject experts, Dr. Kia Reinis:
Quote:
When needed, questionnaires are translated into local languages. Chapter 1 of each final report discusses into which languages the questionnaires have been translated. Final reports are available for download from our website. The cover page of each questionnaire also records which language questionnaire was used for the interview. The questionnaires are printed in one language in an Appendix in each final report. Language codes are included in DHS data.
Thank you!

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