Language Designation in CalSAWS

Correct language coding is essential for statistical data. Obtaining demographics on the client’s primary language is essential to ensuring appropriate interpreters and translators are available which ensures clients receive services in their primary language. 

In CalSAWS, the following languages are available for the designation of the client’s primary language as declared by the client. This is to be used when forms require that a language name be identified (e.g., when gathering statistical data for ad-hoc listings, completing intake tallies, etc.):

LANGUAGE NAME CODE
Afghani 1A
American Sign Language SL
Amharic 1B
Arabic AR
Armenian AE
Bosnian BO
Cambodian CA
Cantonese CN
English EN
Ethiopian 1I
Farsi FA
French FR
German 1F
Hebrew HE
Hmong HM
Ilocano IL
Italian IT
Japanese JA
Korean KO
Lao LA
Mandarin MA
Mien ME
Oromo 1D
Other Chinese Language OC
Other Non-English OT
Other Sign Language AM
Polish PO
Portuguese PR
Romanian RM
Russian RU
Samoan SA
Serbo-Croatian 1H
Somali 1E
Spanish SP
Swahili 1C
Tagalog FI
Thai TH
Tigrigna 1G
Turkish TU
Vietnamese VI