The Linguist is a languages magazine for professional linguists, translators, interpreters, language professionals, language teachers, trainers, students and academics with articles on translation, interpreting, business, government, technology
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Vol/53 No/3 2014 JUNE/JULY The Linguist 23 FEATURES languages were from South Asia: Panjabi (273,000 people) and Urdu (269,000) each with 0.5%, and Bengali/Sylheti/Chatgaya (221,000) and Gujarati (213,000) with 0.4%. This was followed by Arabic (159,000) and French (147,000), both spoken by 0.3%. But no area or region is the same. Redcar and Cleveland in the North East had the highest proportion of people reporting English as their main language, with 99.3%; this area was also one of the least ethnically diverse. In contrast, the London boroughs had the lowest proportion of people (77.9%) who reported their main language as English, with Newham lowest of all with 58.6%. Other London boroughs also had some of the lowest percentage of people using English as their main language: Brent 62.8%, Tower Hamlets 65.8%, Ealing 66.1% and Westminster 69.2%. These areas were also some of the most ethnically diverse. London boroughs had some of the highest reported 'Other' main languages in England and Wales. Kensington and Chelsea had some of the highest proportions of people with European languages, including French (4.9%), Spanish (2.7%) and Italian (2.4%). Tower Hamlets had the highest proportion of Bengali (with Sylheti and Chatgaya) at 18%. Outside London, the highest proportion of people speaking Panjabi as a main language was in Slough (6.2%); Gujarati in Leicester (11.5%) and Lithuanian in Boston (2.8%). Effective use of increasingly pressured resources depends on good quality intelligence. For all local authorities, but perhaps particularly for those in parts of the country with the most diverse communities, 2011 census data offers a rich body of information to help tackle some of the challenges that these new communities bring. No two areas or communities are the same. Understanding the local language landscape you are working in can only be a good thing, and one advantage of census statistics is that they are available down to very small geographical areas. So, as well as information about the population at a national level, you can also drill down to individual local authorities and even to postcodes. Census data is usually free of charge; only when you need a specific piece of data that does not form part of the standard range of statistical output tables will any charge be levied. Help is available when it comes to finding the information you need. Alongside the data themselves, the Office for National Statistics publishes statistical bulletins summarising the key points for each census. It also produces analysis articles that get behind the data on themes such as ethnicity and languages, and there is a suite of interactive maps and charts to help you uncover information on your local area. To explore census data, visit the ONS website at www.ons.gov.uk/census, or contact Census Customer Services at CensusCustomerServices@ons.gov.uk or 01329 444972. 1 With Sylheti and Chatgaya 2 'All Other Chinese' is an aggregate of Chinese languages and excludes Mandarin and Cantonese Polish Panjabi Urdu Bengali Gujarati Arabic French All Other Chinese Portuguese Spanish Thousands 1 2 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 Top ten main 'Other' languages in England and Wales, 2011 MULTICULTURAL BRITAIN Clockwise from above: After Polish, South Asian languages are the most common 'other' languages; Polish/English road signs; filling out the 2011 census form; bilingual library services; and language support in schools © ISTOCKPHOTO