NRFU-E14 Challenging Situations
13.1
Language Barrier 1

Enumerator: Hello. I’m Jessica Humano from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Respondent: [in Mandarin] Do you speak Mandarin?

Respondent: [After a brief pause, switches to English and says] No English. Chinese.

13.2
Language Barrier 2

Enumerator: That’s ok. Let me show you something. Please look at this card.
What language do you speak? Can you point to it on this card?

Enumerator: Let’s take a look together. What is your language? Okay. Let’s look at the next page.

Respondent: Yes [in English]. Mandarin [in Mandarin].

Enumerator: Thank you! [Mandarin] is your language, right?

Respondent: Yes! [in Mandarin]

Enumerator: Okay. Thank you again. Look at this please.

Respondent: No.

13.3
Language Barrier 3

Enumerator: Is there someone here now who speaks English and can help us?

Enumerator: Hello. I’m Jessica Humano from the U.S. Census Bureau. Do you speak English?

Respondent Family Member: Yes.

Enumerator: I’m here to complete a Census questionnaire for 2370 Mason St. Would you be willing to serve as an interpreter? The interview should take about 10 minutes.

Respondent Family Member: Yes.

Enumerator: Can you ask [Respondent] if you can interpret for them? I need their permission before we can complete the questionnaire.

Respondent Family Member/Interpreter: [Looking at the Respondent, asks in the target language] “Can I interpret for you to complete the Census questionnaire?”

Respondent: Yes. [in Mandarin].