Dictionary, Census of Population, 2021
All languages used at work

Definition

All languages used at work refers to all languages that the person uses in their job on a regular basis.

Statistical unit(s)

• Person 15 years or over

Classification(s)

• Collapsed classification of languages 2021
• Languages 2021 - Inuit languages variant
• List of languages 2021
• List of languages 2021 - Indigenous languages variant
• List of languages 2021 - total responses

Reported in

2021 and 2016 (25% sample); 2011^{Footnote 1} (30% sample); 2006 and 2001 (20% sample).

Reported for

Population aged 15 years and older, in private households, who worked since January 1, 2020

Question number(s)

Direct variable: Question 50a)

Responses

Refer to figures 2.4, 2.4A, 2.4B, 2.4C, 2.4D, 2.4E, 2.4F, 2.4G, 2.4H, 2.4I, 2.4J and 2.4K for the detailed list of languages disseminated in the 2021 Census. A comparison of languages disseminated in the 2021, 2016 and 2011 censuses is available in Appendix 2.2.

Remarks

The language of work question (Question 50) was divided into two parts:

a) In this job, what language(s) did this person use on a regular basis?

b) Of these languages, which one did this person use most often in this job?

"All languages used at work" is a direct variable from Question 50a) on the census questionnaire.

The following additional instructions on how to complete the question on the languages used on a regular basis at work (Question 50a)) were provided to respondents via a help button accessible in the electronic questionnaire:

• Report any languages that this person used on a regular basis at work.
• Report the languages used to speak, read or write to perform a job or a major task.
• Do not report languages used only during coffee, lunch or other rest breaks.
• Respondents who are deaf or respondents who have a speech impairment should report knowledge of English, French, both or neither, by selecting the appropriate option. Knowledge of other language(s), including sign languages, should be entered in the type-in boxes under the category labelled "Other language(s)."
• When reporting other language(s), be specific. For example, people who report Chinese should instead report the specific Chinese language: Cantonese, Mandarin, Hakka, Min Nan, Min Dong, Wu, Pu‑Xian, Xiang, Gan, Huizhou, Jinyu, Dungan, Min Bei or Min Zhong.
• If the person held more than one job, they should answer Question 50a) for the job at which they worked the most hours.
• Do not report languages that this person speaks solely at home even if this person now works from home (for example, because of the COVID‑19 pandemic).

Since 2001, the census has measured three language of work concepts: all languages used at work, the language used most often at work and other languages used regularly at work. While the concepts themselves remain intact, both the way in which the question is asked and the process to obtain the variables have changed for the 2021 Census.

In 2021, the first part of the question (Question 50a)) asked for all languages used on a regular basis at work. Those who did not report English only or French only were asked which language they use most often at work (Question 50b)). This is different from the 2016 Census, which first asked respondents to report the language they used most often at work and then asked for any other languages used on a regular basis at work.

For more information on language variables, including information on their classifications, the questions from which they are derived, data quality and their comparability with other sources of data, please refer to the Languages Reference Guide, Census of Population, 2021.

Note(s)

Related 2021 data products

• Census Program Data Viewer (CPDV) (98-507-X2021001)