catalan language

The Catalan Supreme Court of Justice issues a court order giving the Catalan Government 2 months to change the current school model and include Spanish as a school language of instruction. The Government will appeal. Teacher unions and the main parent associations back the current model. Currently, Catalan is the language used and Spanish is taught in school but only as a subject. For the Catalan Government, the court decision breaks a model praised by international organisations, which guarantees social cohesion and the knowledge of both languages by all pupils.

The Ramon Llull's co-ordinator for education tells the CNA why budget cuts have forced the institution to re-evaluate its language partnerships

"Catalanophobia exists" and "Catalonia has to communicate its ideals if it is to be understood by the rest of Spain" says the socialist candidate to the next Spanish general elections

László T?kés, from the Hungarian minority in Romania and member of the European People’s Party, supports the “linguistic rights” of minorities in front of a European Union “sometimes too ignorant”. “I don’t like integration being replaced by assimilation”, he stated.

Writer Teresa Solana, Brown University Professor Enric Bou, university professor Mary Ann Newman and translator Peter Bush all took part in a debate on Catalan literature and culture at the New York Pen World Voices Festival. The complexity of translating from the Catalan language, the differences between normative Catalan and the 21st century language and the rich tradition of its literature all emerged as key elements of a debate moderated by writer Aleksandar Hemon.

In the year of its 130th anniversary, the historical flagship of the Catalan press, the spokesperson of the business world and centre-right nationalism has launched an edition in Catalan. ‘La Vanguardia’ has finally taken this step after many years, or even decades, of rumours. Also some months after a new newspaper in Catalan aimed at a similar but younger target began publication. “Our DNA is Catalan”, states the newspaper’s editor Javier Godó to explain their decision.

Catalan language is taught abroad, mainly in university. Last year 1,252 applicants took the language tests held in 76 cities throughout 32 countries.

The ‘Viquipèdia’, the Wikipedia version in Catalan language, is currently ranked 10th out of the 272 languages used in this encyclopaedia quality rankings.

A study has found that the Catalan language is used less than Spanish in Catalonia. In addition, only 40% of foreigners are able to speak Catalan. In total 95% of Catalan residents understand the language, 77% know how to speak it and 60% can write in it. When it comes to Spanish almost 100% of residents can both read and write in it.

The Catalan Government announced that knowledge of the Catalan language will be a “very determining” factor in proving integration in Catalonia in order to renew residency certificates or family grouping.

For many Catalan speakers in Valencia, the measure is a clear attack against their linguistic rights. The Valencian Government created a law foreseeing harsh fines per every day of emissions. The Spanish Supreme Court is to decide on the matter, but meanwhile the emissions had to stop yesterday after 25 years of broadcasting.

According to the new German Chamber of Commerce Managing Director in Spain, the Central European country could promise young Catalans not only training and competitive salaries but also job stability. He also explains which are the obstacles in his view that stop German investments in Spain and Catalonia.

The most popular video site on the internet is finally navigable in Catalan. The head of the popular campaign tells CNA how he achieved this goal.

The former president of Catalonia Jordi Pujol, the scientific Jordi Camí, the macroeconomist Jordi Galí, the entrepreneur Ferran Soriano and the architect Benedetta Tagliabue will discuss priorities for internationalising Catalonia. The panel debate will take place on Tuesday 25 January, at 19.30, at the MACBA Auditorium in Barcelona.

A Spanish police trade union has complained to the government for not teaching Catalan to police agents. While money is being invested in simultaneous translation in the Senate, there is no way to help police stationed in Catalonia integrate socially, claims the police union CEP.