ERSys® - Exploratory Research System

Southeast Fairbanks Census Area – Language Spoken at Home

Understanding the languages spoken at home is crucial for a variety of reasons, ranging from cultural appreciation and preservation to economic development and political stability. Language is not just a tool for communication; it is a carrier of culture, history, and identity. Here are several key reasons why understanding the linguistic landscape of a region is important:

Cultural Insight and Preservation: Language is deeply intertwined with culture. By understanding the languages spoken in a region, we gain insights into the traditions, values, and social norms of the communities that reside there. This knowledge is essential for preserving cultural heritage, especially in areas where indigenous languages are at risk of extinction. Language preservation efforts can help maintain cultural diversity and ensure that future generations have access to their ancestral heritage.
Effective Communication: In a globalized world, effective communication is key to fostering relationships, whether they are personal, professional, or diplomatic. Understanding the languages spoken in a geographic area facilitates better communication with local populations, which is essential for businesses, tourists, and international organizations. It helps in avoiding misunderstandings and building trust.
Economic Development: Language proficiency can significantly impact economic development. For businesses looking to expand into new markets, understanding the local language can provide a competitive edge. It allows companies to tailor their products and marketing strategies to meet the needs and preferences of local consumers. Additionally, language skills can open up job opportunities and contribute to the economic empowerment of individuals.
Education and Literacy: Language plays a critical role in education. Understanding the primary languages spoken in a region helps in developing educational materials and programs that are accessible to the local population. This is particularly important in multilingual societies where the language of instruction can affect literacy rates and educational outcomes.
Political and Social Integration: In regions with diverse linguistic groups, understanding the languages spoken can aid in political and social integration. Language policies that recognize and respect linguistic diversity can promote social cohesion and reduce tensions between different ethnic or linguistic groups. It can also ensure that all citizens have equal access to government services and participation in the political process.
Healthcare Delivery: In the healthcare sector, understanding the local language is vital for effective patient care. It ensures that healthcare providers can communicate clearly with patients, understand their symptoms, and explain diagnoses and treatment options. This can lead to better health outcomes and increased patient satisfaction.
Tourism and Hospitality: For the tourism industry, language skills are invaluable. Tourists who can communicate in the local language are likely to have a more enriching and enjoyable experience. For hospitality professionals, speaking the language of their guests can enhance customer service and create a welcoming atmosphere.
Research and Academia: Researchers and academics studying a particular geographic area must understand the local languages to access primary sources, conduct fieldwork, and engage with local communities. This is essential for producing accurate and comprehensive studies in fields such as anthropology, sociology, and history.

In conclusion, understanding the languages spoken at home is fundamental for a multitude of reasons. It enriches our appreciation of cultural diversity, facilitates effective communication, drives economic growth, supports education, promotes social integration, improves healthcare delivery, enhances tourism experiences, and advances academic research. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the importance of linguistic understanding will only continue to grow.

A diversification score measures the diversity of languages in the county. As the value appoaches 100, language diversity decreases and therefore increasing the risk of a lack of cultural diversity. The language diversification score for this county is:

71.01

Most common language is:

English

Understanding the languages spoken in a geographic area is crucial for a variety of reasons, ranging from cultural appreciation and preservation to economic development and political stability. Language is not just a tool for communication; it is a carrier of culture, history, and identity. Here are several key reasons why understanding the linguistic landscape of a region is important:

Description	Employed 16 and Over	English	Spanish or Spanish Creole	French or French Creole	German	Russian, Polish, or Other Slavic Languages	Other Indo-European Languages	Chinese	Korean	Vietnamese	Other Asian Languages	Tagalog and Other Pacific Languages	Arabic	Other Languages
"
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area	6,700	5,609	301	0	3	543	0	0	0	0	25	60	0	159
Alaska (in 000's)	684	578	24	2	3	6	3	2	3	1	14	18	1	28
National (in 000's)	322,480	252,661	42,621	2,134	1,521	2,189	6,210	3,601	1,128	1,577	3,272	1,773	1,375	2,418
Matanuska-Susitna Borough	108,778	102,082	1,962	138	515	1,484	201	96	211	89	641	499	75	785
Fairbanks North Star Borough	88,474	79,592	3,077	730	422	524	381	384	645	125	728	594	0	1,272
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area	4,301	3,774	36	8	10	0	17	9	0	0	2	72	0	373
Copper River Census Area	2,480	2,374	13	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	92
Denali Borough	1,530	1,376	11	40	7	19	0	9	0	1	6	53	0	8

Per Cent to Total Employed 16 and Over	Diversity Index

Southeast Fairbanks Census Area	71.01	83.72	4.49	0.00	0.04	8.10	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.37	0.90	0.00	2.37
Alaska	71.89	84.54	3.52	0.35	0.42	0.81	0.47	0.27	0.49	0.11	2.11	2.69	0.18	4.04
National	63.22	78.35	13.22	0.66	0.47	0.68	1.93	1.12	0.35	0.49	1.01	0.55	0.43	0.75
Matanuska-Susitna Borough	88.13	93.84	1.80	0.13	0.47	1.36	0.18	0.09	0.19	0.08	0.59	0.46	0.07	0.72
Fairbanks North Star Borough	81.10	89.96	3.48	0.83	0.48	0.59	0.43	0.43	0.73	0.14	0.82	0.67	0.00	1.44
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area	77.79	87.75	0.84	0.19	0.23	0.00	0.40	0.21	0.00	0.00	0.05	1.67	0.00	8.67
Copper River Census Area	91.77	95.73	0.52	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.04	0.00	3.71
Denali Borough	81.10	89.93	0.72	2.61	0.46	1.24	0.00	0.59	0.00	0.07	0.39	3.46	0.00	0.52

Comparisons to State Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Southeast Fairbanks Census Area		99.03	127.67	0.00	10.58	1,002.29	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	17.69	33.29	0.00	58.77
Alaska		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		92.68	375.59	190.24	111.44	83.94	413.70	406.06	71.22	425.57	48.09	20.45	240.46	18.57
Matanuska-Susitna Borough		111.01	51.26	36.48	111.86	168.72	39.70	32.09	39.51	71.20	27.93	17.05	38.88	17.87
Fairbanks North Star Borough		106.41	98.83	237.24	112.70	73.25	92.51	157.83	148.50	122.95	39.00	24.96	0.00	35.60
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area		103.79	23.79	53.48	54.94	0.00	84.91	76.09	0.00	0.00	2.20	62.24	0.00	214.75
Copper River Census Area		113.23	14.90	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	1.50	0.00	91.86
Denali Borough		106.38	20.43	751.70	108.10	153.58	0.00	213.91	0.00	56.88	18.59	128.78	0.00	12.95

Comparisons to National Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Southeast Fairbanks Census Area		106.85	33.99	0.00	9.49	1,194.07	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	36.78	162.84	0.00	316.47
Alaska		107.90	26.62	52.56	89.73	119.13	24.17	24.63	140.40	23.50	207.96	489.10	41.59	538.53
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Matanuska-Susitna Borough		119.78	13.65	19.17	100.38	201.00	9.60	7.90	55.48	16.73	58.08	83.41	16.17	96.24
Fairbanks North Star Borough		114.82	26.31	124.70	101.13	87.26	22.36	38.87	208.50	28.89	81.10	122.08	0.00	191.73
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area		111.99	6.33	28.11	49.29	0.00	20.53	18.74	0.00	0.00	4.58	304.40	0.00	1,156.52
Copper River Census Area		122.18	3.97	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	7.33	0.00	494.71
Denali Borough		114.79	5.44	395.12	97.00	182.96	0.00	52.68	0.00	13.37	38.65	629.89	0.00	69.73

Sources: STI: PopStats