What type of spanish is spoken in barcelona

Some Catalan speakers consider Spanish their first language, and Catalan the second. In a very small number of cases, Catalan speakers speak no other languages at all, not even Spanish. Because the region of Catalonia has two official languages, you will see Catalan alongside Spanish on road signs, in shop advertisements and in the media.

Through education and active promotion Catalan people are encouraged to speak the language in order to keep it alive. Having said all that, Spanish is also an official language in Catalonia, because, of course, the region is part of Spain.

In Barcelona, Spanish and Catalan newspapers, books, television channels, art and culture also exist side by side, so that people can choose the language they prefer. There is an on-going heated debate happening in Catalonia, because some political agencies and certain factions of the population would like to separate Catalonia from Spain, in order to establish the region as a separate, independent country.

Catalan language plays a part in this discussion; sometimes the language is used to make a point, to prove that Catalonia has its own cultural identity. As a blanket generalisation this is not true. The fact remains that a vast number of Catalans identify themselves as being Spanish, many feel proud to be both Spanish and Catalan at the same time and equally many believe that Catalonia is an integral part of the whole country. In those cases where people feel strongly about Catalan independence, most are only interested in a pacific, democratic debate, albeit it sometimes a passionate one.

What is more, there are more and more people who understand and speak English and other international languages. The importance of Catalan in all areas of Catalan life is beyond dispute. A large number of Catalan families speak exclusively Catalan at home and regard it as their language of identity. Catalan is the language of instruction in Catalonia's schools, where Spanish and another foreign language, usually English, are taught. Even if classes are given in Spanish and Catalan in universities, it is Catalan which is adapted as the institutional language and used in administrative affairs.

You are therefore advised, for all the above reasons, to learn Catalan if you are thinking of living in Barcelona. Spanish , for its part, is one of the most commonly spoken mother-tongue languages in the world and extensively used in Barcelona. If you speak it you will be able to communicate with locals as soon as you arrive. In other words, knowing the local languages will make it easier for you to integrate into Catalan society. If you're keen to learn Catalan and Spanish, note that they are both Romance languages and therefore related languages.

The majority of people living here understand and can speak Spanish, including the Catalans. However, not everyone can speak or understand Catalan. I think it is fair to say that some Catalans prefer not to speak Spanish however in my experience of living here it is rare for anyone to be offended if you speak Spanish as opposed to Catalan.

If you truly wish to integrate with Catalan culture then it would be essential to learn Catalan. Catalan culture is distinct from that of Spanish culture. Catalans have their own music and dance , food, celebrations and language.

Tara Jessop. Approximately 9 million people worldwide speak Catalan. Catalan is sometimes more similar to French than Spanish. Catalan language origins differ from those of Spanish. There are as many as six dialects in Catalan. Catalan was banned in Spain until as recently as Catalan is the only official language of Andorra.

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