Dictionary, Census of Population, 2016
Language spoken most often at homeDictionary, Census of Population, 2016
Language spoken most often at home

Definition

'Language spoken most often at home' refers to the language the person speaks most often at home at the time of data collection. A person can report more than one language as "spoken most often at home" if the languages are spoken equally often.

For a person who lives alone, the language spoken most often at home is the language in which he or she feels most comfortable. For a child who has not yet learned to speak, this is the language spoken most often to the child at home. Where two languages are spoken to the child, the language spoken most often at home is the language spoken most often. If both languages are used equally often, then both languages are included here.

Statistical unit(s)

Person

Classification(s)

Language(s) of Person 2016
Collapsed - Language(s) of Person 2016
Language(s) of Person 2016 – Aboriginal Languages Variant
Language(s) of Person 2016 – Inuit Languages Variant
Language(s) of Person 2016, Total responses

Reported in

2016, 2011 (100% data); 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986 and 1981 (20% sample). For availability prior to 1981, please refer to Appendix 2.0.

Reported for

Total population

Question number(s)

Direct variable: Question 8 a)

Responses

See Figures 3.3, 3.3A, 3.3B, 3.3C and 3.3D.

Remarks

Until the 2001 Census, the question asked individuals for the language spoken most often at home, which now represents part a) of the question that has been asked since 2001. Part b) on other languages spoken on a regular basis at home has been added since the 2001 Census. This was done in order to reflect a more complete picture of the linguistic situation of Canadian households.

When comparing 2016 Census data on home language with data from 1996 or before, only the language spoken most often at home is to be used since, before the 2001 Census, there was no question asked regarding other languages spoken on a regular basis.

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, 2016.