The reports compiled by the experts must correspond to the standard that LINGUA has set out. This is valid for the form, the depth and manner of the argumentation as well as for the use of the result categories (s. below). On the one hand, this leads to a consistent model for the LINGUA reports, which makes it considerably easier for the people using it (e.g. the case officers but also the judges) to find the traceability of the results. On the other hand, one can check the minimal criteria, which are necessary to determine the result categories.
In order to examine the subject's knowledge of the country and its culture, at least five different aspects of everyday life (e.g. eating habits, geography, administration, religion, clothing habits) must be discussed during the interview. Concerning the linguistic analysis, at least eight relevant aspects must be analysed (from at least 2 different, linguistic areas like phonology, morphology, syntax, vocabulary), in order to describe and evaluate the subject's speech. Each of these linguistic elements is compared with the variety which is normally to be found in the subject's alleged region/milieu of origin. Any discrepancies in the subject's speech must be mentioned by the expert (e.g. if he/she does not speak the official language of the country; if he/she speaks a variety of the language, which is not spoken in the country he/she names as his/her country of origin). This is the same for any interference caused with any other variety of language, which can be recognised in the speech of the subject. All the languages and/or dialects spoken by the subject should be analysed as far as it is possible.
Last modification 06.07.2021
