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LANGREAD
Language read better
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Codes and Frequencies



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Description

For sample adults of Hispanic origin or ancestry who generally spoke English or Spanish (LANGSPEAK) or who spoke either of those languages as a child (LANGCHILD), LANGREAD reports answers to the question, "In general, which language do you read better?" Interviewers handed respondents a flashcard listing the following choices: "Only Spanish," "Spanish better than English," "Spanish and English about the same," "English better than Spanish," "Only English," "Don't read."

According to the Field Representative's Manual for 2000, if a respondent gave an answer that did not fit one of the response categories, the interviewer was to direct attention back to the flashcard with the probe, "Please pick the closest answer you can." People who had earlier stated that they generally spoke a language other than Spanish or English, and that they had spoken some language other than Spanish or English during their childhood, were not asked this question.

Rationale for Inquiry 

LANGREAD was one of a series of questions about language use intended to measure "Hispanic Acculturation." According to the 2000 Field Representative's Manual, these questions, "based on a scale developed by Mexican American researchers," were designed to "identify the degree of acculturation of the Hispanic population with the English-speaking majority." This element of the survey was itself part of a larger module about cancer risk factors and screening. In this context, the Manual explained,

We can assess the relationship between acculturation status and knowledge and attitudes about cancer risks and prevention. It will also help us target sources of information about cancer and cancer risk factors to the growing Spanish-speaking population of the United States.

Related Variables 

Respondents who were asked the question for LANGREAD were also asked the language they usually used for speaking at home (LANGHOME), speaking with friends (LANGFRIEND), thinking (LANGTHINK), listening to the radio (LANGRADIO), and watching television (LANGTV).

Comparability

This variable is only available in 2000.

Universe

  • 1987: Sample persons age 18+ who were of Hispanic origin and read both Spanish and English.
  • 1992: Sample persons age 18+ in quarters 1 and 2 and in 2 weeks of quarter 3 who were of Hispanic origin and read both Spanish and English.
  • 2000: Sample adults age 18+ of Hispanic origin or ancestry who generally spoke English or Spanish now or as a child.

Availability

  • 1987, 1992, 2000

Weights