Memorandum 2018.06: 2020 Census Non-English Language Support
Publication 2020 Census Census Operations 2020 Census Memorandum Series
US Census Bureau
This memorandum documents the 2020 Census Program decision regarding the number of non-English languages that will be supported.
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Census.gov
The Census Bureau determined the non-English languages by using the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates to identify language groups with a high number of limited-English speaking households. The definition of a “limited-English-speaking household,” as used in the current ACS estimates, is as follows: no member 14 years old and over speaks only English at home or speaks a language other than English at home and speaks English “very well.”

In determining the languages, the Census Bureau followed the process outlined below:

Created tabulations of languages spoken by limited-English-speaking households, at the national, regional, and state levels.

Transcribed to a list the languages spoken by at least 2,000 limited-English-speaking households, sorted by the number of limited-English-speaking households, in descending order.

Assessed these languages for translation feasibility, to ensure that the Census Bureau is able to provide effectively translated materials.

Added American Sign Language (ASL) to the list, to provide a video guide for ASL users.

This process yielded the languages below (in order—top to bottom, left to right). The Census Bureau will provide language guides, language glossaries, and a language identification card in these languages.

In determining the languages for Internet Self-Response and Census Questionnaire Assistance, the Census Bureau transcribed to a list the languages spoken by at least 60,000 limited-English-speaking households, sorted by the number of limited-English-speaking households, in descending order. This yielded the following 12 non-English languages: Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog, Polish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Japanese.

The Census Bureau further determined that the field enumerator instrument and materials, bilingual paper questionnaire, and bilingual mailing will be supported in Spanish.