Language Questions in Humanitarian Data Collection

Language-related questions for new and ongoing surveys

If aid organizations are to communicate effectively with the people they aim to help, in the languages they are most comfortable with, they need to know what those languages are. Existing language data is often outdated and does not necessarily reflect large-scale population movements. To meet the need for up-to-date information, TWB has successfully worked with partners like IOM DTM, REACH and UNICEF to integrate standard language questions into ongoing surveys.

Below we propose a set of standard questions that can be included in any survey. All questions are formatted to conform with OpenDataKit (ODK) standards.

We have carefully developed these questions and tested them in several languages and contexts to make sure that each question obtains relevant answers. However, we recommend that you test your survey instrument with a small sample, in line with good data collection practices.

The languages are listed using the international language codes.

If you have any questions or comments, let us know at info@translatorswithoutborders.org

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”” expand_text=”” collapse_text=”” ][/bg_collapse]

Use this if you can include only a single language question in your survey

Use this if you can include up to four language questions in your survey

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Main language” collapse_text=”Main language” inline_css=”font-size:28px;font-weight:bold;display:block;margin-bottom: 10px;” ]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Individual” collapse_text=”Individual” ]


PHRASING	What is the main language you use at home?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages, [American] Sign Language, other ______
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	Use the wording “main language spoken at home” as opposed to “mother tongue” or “primary language.” In our experience, this wording is the easiest to translate and helps to ensure that this questions focuses on language, and not ethnicity. Include a list of answers with as many local languages as you know. Making the question open ended is likely to cause significant coding and consistency issues due to multiple different spellings, or different dialects of the same language being referred to separately.
	Download all questions for individuals

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[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Household” collapse_text=”Household” ]


PHRASING	What is the main language your household uses at home?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages, [American] Sign Language, other ______
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	Use the wording “main language spoken at home” as opposed to “mother tongue” or “primary language.” In our experience, this wording is the easiest to translate and helps to ensure that this questions focuses on language, and not ethnicity. Include a list of answers with as many local languages as you know. Making the question open ended is likely to cause significant coding and consistency issues due to multiple different spellings, or different dialects of the same language being referred to separately.

[/bg_collapse_level2]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Key informant” collapse_text=”Key informant” ]


PHRASING	What is the primary language used by the community at this site?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages, [American] Sign Language, other ______
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	Include a list of answers with as many local languages as you know. Making the question open ended is likely to cause significant coding and consistency issues due to multiple different spellings, or different dialects of the same language being referred to separately. This question is best when paired with the “other spoken languages” question as it will help to know when the language of responders is different than the language of the community.

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[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”” expand_text=”” collapse_text=”” ][/bg_collapse]

Use this if you can include up to four language questions in your survey

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Preferred spoken language” collapse_text=”Preferred spoken language” inline_css=”font-size:25px;font-weight:bold;display:block;margin-bottom: 10px;” ]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Individual” collapse_text=”Individual” ]


PHRASING	Which language do you prefer to receive spoken or signed information in?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages, [American] Sign Language, other ______
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (multiple answers)
NOTES	Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question.

[/bg_collapse_level2]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Household” collapse_text=”Household” ]


PHRASING	Which language does your household prefer to receive spoken or signed information in?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages, [American] Sign Language, other ______
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question.

[/bg_collapse_level2]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Key informant” collapse_text=”Key informant” ]


PHRASING	Which language do the majority of people at this site prefer to receive spoken or signed information in?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages, [American] Sign Language, other ______
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question.

[/bg_collapse_level2][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”” expand_text=”” collapse_text=”” ][/bg_collapse]

Use this if you can include up to four language questions in your survey

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Preferred written language” collapse_text=”Preferred written language” inline_css=”font-size:25px;font-weight:bold;display:block;margin-bottom: 10px;” ]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Individual” collapse_text=”Individual” ]


PHRASING	Which language do you prefer to receive written or signed information in?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages, other ______, None
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question. Make sure to include a “none” option in case the person wants to specify that they cannot read and do not prefer to receive any written information.

[/bg_collapse_level2]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Household” collapse_text=”Household” ]


PHRASING	Which language does your household prefer to receive written information in?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages, other ______, None
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question. Make sure to include a “none” option in case the respondent wants to specify that no one in their household can read and they do not prefer to receive any written information.

[/bg_collapse_level2]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Key informant” collapse_text=”Key informant” ]


PHRASING	Which language do the majority of people at this site prefer to receive written information in?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages, other ______, None
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question. Make sure to include a “none” option in case the respondent wants to specify that no one at this site can read and they do not prefer to receive any written information.

[/bg_collapse_level2][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”” expand_text=”” collapse_text=”” ][/bg_collapse]

Use this if you can include up to four language questions in your survey

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Preferred mode of information” collapse_text=”Preferred mode of information” inline_css=”font-size:25px;font-weight:bold;display:block;margin-bottom: 10px;” ]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Individual” collapse_text=”Individual” ]


PHRASING	How do you prefer to receive information?
QUESTION CHOICES	In person, Radio, TV, Poster, Leaflet, Phone call, SMS, other
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	List out other formats that may be relevant in your context.

[/bg_collapse_level2]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Household” collapse_text=”Household” ]


PHRASING	How does your household prefer to receive information?
QUESTION CHOICES	In person, Radio, TV, Poster, Leaflet, Phone call, SMS, other
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	List out other formats that may be relevant in your context.

[/bg_collapse_level2]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Key informant” collapse_text=”Key informant” ]


PHRASING	How do the majority of people at this site prefer to receive information?
QUESTION CHOICES	In person, Radio, TV, Poster, Leaflet, Phone call, SMS, other
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	List out other formats that may be relevant in your context.

[/bg_collapse_level2][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”” expand_text=”” collapse_text=”” ][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Other spoken languages” collapse_text=”Other spoken languages” inline_css=”font-size:25px;font-weight:bold;display:block;margin-bottom: 10px;” ]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Individual” collapse_text=”Individual” ]


PHRASING	Which other language(s) do you speak?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages, [American] Sign Language, other ______
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (multiple answers)
NOTES	Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question.

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[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Household” collapse_text=”Household” ]


PHRASING	Which other language(s) do members of your household speak?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages, [American] Sign Language, other ______
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (multiple answers)
NOTES	Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question.

[/bg_collapse_level2]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Key informant” collapse_text=”Key informant” ]


PHRASING	Which other language(s) are spoken by the community at this site?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages, [American] Sign Language, other ______
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (multiple answers)
NOTES	Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question.

[/bg_collapse_level2][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”” expand_text=”” collapse_text=”” ][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Ability to speak given language” collapse_text=”Ability to speak given language” inline_css=”font-size:25px;font-weight:bold;display:block;margin-bottom: 10px;” ]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Individual” collapse_text=”Individual” ]


PHRASING	How well can you speak [English]?
QUESTION CHOICES	Very well, well, not well, not at all.
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	Replace “English” with any relevant language. Where possible, check the overall accuracy of this self-reported comprehension rating through comprehension testing with a sample of respondents.

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[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Household” collapse_text=”Household” ]


PHRASING	How well can members of your household speak [English]?
QUESTION CHOICES	Very well, well, not well, not at all.
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	Replace “English” with any relevant language. This can be a challenging question to ask in household surveys where it’s very likely that different members of the household have different language skills. Where possible, check the overall accuracy of this self-reported comprehension rating through comprehension testing with a sample of respondents.

[/bg_collapse_level2][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”” expand_text=”” collapse_text=”” ][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Ability to write in given language” collapse_text=”Ability to write in given language” inline_css=”font-size:25px;font-weight:bold;display:block;margin-bottom: 10px;” ]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Individual” collapse_text=”Individual” ]


PHRASING	How well can you read [English]?
QUESTION CHOICES	Very well, well, not well, not at all.
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	Replace “English” with any relevant language. Where possible, check the overall accuracy of this self-reported comprehension rating through comprehension testing with a sample of respondents.

[/bg_collapse_level2]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Household” collapse_text=”Household” ]


PHRASING	How well can members of your household read [English]?
QUESTION CHOICES	Very well, well, not well, not at all.
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	Replace “English” with any relevant language. Where possible, check the overall accuracy of this self-reported comprehension rating through comprehension testing with a sample of respondents.

[/bg_collapse_level2][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”” expand_text=”” collapse_text=”” ][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Languages spoken by service providers” collapse_text=”Languages spoken by service providers” inline_css=”font-size:25px;font-weight:bold;display:block;margin-bottom: 10px;” ]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Individual” collapse_text=”Individual” ]


PHRASING	Which language do service providers mainly use when speaking with you?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	This question is best when paired with the Other spoken languages question, as it will help to know when responders are using a spoken language that is different than the language(s) of the community.

[/bg_collapse_level2]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Household” collapse_text=”Household” ]


PHRASING	Which language do service providers mainly use when speaking with your household?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	This question is best when paired with the Other spoken languages question, as it will help to know when responders are using a spoken language that is different than the language(s) of the community.

[/bg_collapse_level2]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Key informant” collapse_text=”Key informant” ]


PHRASING	Which language do service providers mainly use to speak with people at this site?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	This question is best when paired with the Other spoken languages question, as it will help to know when responders are using a spoken language that is different than the language(s) of the community.

[/bg_collapse_level2][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”” expand_text=”” collapse_text=”” ][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Languages used by service providers in written format” collapse_text=”Languages used by service providers in written format” inline_css=”font-size:25px;font-weight:bold;display:block;margin-bottom: 10px;” ]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Individual” collapse_text=”Individual” ]


PHRASING	Which language do service providers mainly use when sharing written information with you?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	This question is best when paired with the Other spoken languages question, as it will help to know when responders are using a spoken language that is different than the language(s) of the community.

[/bg_collapse_level2]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Household” collapse_text=”Household” ]


PHRASING	Which language do service providers mainly use when sharing written information with your household?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	This question is best when paired with the Other spoken languages question, as it will help to know when responders are using a spoken language that is different than the language(s) of the community.

[/bg_collapse_level2]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Key informant” collapse_text=”Key informant” ]


PHRASING	Which language do service providers mainly produce written material in for people at this site?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	This question is best when paired with the Other spoken languages question, as it will help to know when responders are using a spoken language that is different than the language(s) of the community.

[/bg_collapse_level2][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”” expand_text=”” collapse_text=”” ][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Preferred means of feedback to service providers” collapse_text=”Preferred means of feedback to service providers” inline_css=”font-size:25px;font-weight:bold;display:block;margin-bottom: 10px;” ]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Individual” collapse_text=”Individual” ]


PHRASING	How do you prefer to give feedback or share concerns with service providers?
QUESTION CHOICES	In person, Phone call, SMS, Suggestion box, Voice recorder, Radio, other
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	List out other formats that may be relevant in your context.

[/bg_collapse_level2]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Household” collapse_text=”Household” ]


PHRASING	How does your household prefer to give feedback or share concerns with service providers?
QUESTION CHOICES	In person, Phone call, SMS, Suggestion box, Voice recorder, Radio, other
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	List out other formats that may be relevant in your context.

[/bg_collapse_level2][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”” expand_text=”” collapse_text=”” ][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Preferred language of feedback to service providers” collapse_text=”Preferred language of feedback to service providers” inline_css=”font-size:25px;font-weight:bold;display:block;margin-bottom: 10px;” ]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Individual” collapse_text=”Individual” ]


PHRASING	Which language would you prefer to use when giving feedback or sharing concerns with service providers?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages.
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question.

[/bg_collapse_level2]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Household” collapse_text=”Household” ]


PHRASING	Which language would your household prefer to use when giving feedback or sharing concerns with service providers?
QUESTION CHOICES	List of local languages.
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	Use the same list of languages/answers as in the main language question.

[/bg_collapse_level2][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”” expand_text=”” collapse_text=”” ][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Ability to understand the language in which spoken information is shared” collapse_text=”Ability to understand the language in which spoken information is shared” inline_css=”font-size:25px;font-weight:bold;display:block;margin-bottom: 10px;” ]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Key informant” collapse_text=”Key informant” ]


PHRASING	Are people at this site able to properly understand the spoken language in which information is shared?
QUESTION CHOICES	Yes, No
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES

[/bg_collapse_level2][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”” expand_text=”” collapse_text=”” ][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Ability to understand the language in which written information is shared” collapse_text=”Ability to understand the language in which written information is shared” inline_css=”font-size:25px;font-weight:bold;display:block;margin-bottom: 10px;” ]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Key informant” collapse_text=”Key informant” ]


PHRASING	Are people at this site able to properly read the language in which written information is shared?
QUESTION CHOICES	Yes, No
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES

[/bg_collapse_level2][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”” expand_text=”” collapse_text=”” ][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Language as a communication barrier” collapse_text=”Language as a communication barrier” inline_css=”font-size:25px;font-weight:bold;display:block;margin-bottom: 10px;” ]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Key informant” collapse_text=”Key informant” ]


PHRASING	Is language a major barrier between the community and service providers at this site?
QUESTION CHOICES	Yes, No
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	Follow up with a question on why if reply is positive.

[/bg_collapse_level2][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”” expand_text=”” collapse_text=”” ][/bg_collapse]

[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Groups struggling to receive information” collapse_text=”Groups struggling to receive information” inline_css=”font-size:25px;font-weight:bold;display:block;margin-bottom: 10px;” ]
[bg_collapse_level2 view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Key informant” collapse_text=”Key informant” ]


PHRASING	Are there any particular groups of people who struggle to receive information in this community? If so, please specify.
QUESTION CHOICES	No, Yes
QUESTION FORMAT	Multiple choice (single answer)
NOTES	If answer is positive, include list of potentially excluded groups in a follow-up question (older people, persons with disabilities, children, women, pregnant women, minority ethnic groups, other).

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Downloadable question bank
XLS files formatted for ODK or Kobo Toolbox

Ukraine response

Recommended questions on language and communication for needs assessments during the 2022 Ukraine response, including translations into relevant languages.

	Questions for individuals
	Czech (CS) · Hungarian (HU) · Romanian (RO) · Russian (RU) · Slovak (SK) · Ukrainian (UK) · German (DE) · Polish (PL) · Multilingual (EN, CS, HU, RO, RU, SK, UK, DE, PL)

	Questions for households
	Czech (CS) · Hungarian (HU) · Romanian (RO) · Russian (RU) · Slovak (SK) · Ukrainian (UK) · German (DE) · Polish (PL) · Multilingual (EN, CS, HU, RO, RU, SK, UK, DE, PL)

	Questions for key informants
	Czech (CS) · Hungarian (HU) · Romanian (RO) · Russian (RU) · Slovak (SK) · Ukrainian (UK) · German (DE) · Polish (PL) · Multilingual (EN, CS, HU, RO, RU, SK, UK, DE, PL)

Language Questions in Humanitarian Data Collection

LANGUAGE QUESTIONS IN HUMANITARIAN DATA COLLECTION

Language-related questions for new and ongoing surveys

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	Questions for individuals
	Download 1 question English (EN) · Spanish (ES) · French (FR) · Portuguese (PT) · Arabic (AR) · Sinhala (SI) · Tamil (TA) · Nyanja (NY) · Congolese Swahili (SWC)
	Download 4 questions English (EN) · Spanish (ES) · French (FR) · Portuguese (PT) · Arabic (AR) · Sinhala (SI) · Tamil (TA) · Nyanja (NY) · Congolese Swahili (SWC)

	Questions for households
	Download 1 question (English)
	Download 4 questions (English)

	List of languages by country
	Download the list of languages for all countries