Dictionary, Census of Population, 2021
Knowledge of official languages

Definition

Knowledge of official languages refers to whether the person can conduct a conversation in English only, French only, in both or in neither language. For a child who has not yet learned to speak, this includes languages that the child is learning to speak at home.

Statistical unit(s)

• Person

Classification(s)

• Knowledge of Official Languages

Reported in

2021, 2016 and 2011 (100% data); 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986 and 1981 (20% sample). For availability prior to 1981, please refer to Appendix 2.1.

Reported for

Total population

Question number(s)

Direct variable: Question 8

Responses

Response categories included a mark‑in circle for "English only," "French only," "Both English and French" and "Neither English nor French."

Remarks

In the 2021 Census of Population, the question about knowledge of official languages asked "Can this person speak English or French well enough to conduct a conversation?"

The following additional instructions on how to complete the 2021 question on knowledge of official languages were provided to respondents via a help button accessible in the electronic questionnaire:

• Select "English only," "French only" or "Both English and French" only if the person can carry on a conversation of some length on various topics in one or both of these languages.
• 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.

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.