Have you heard of the vulgar-latin? That’s Catalan.

In other words a “vulgar”, non Latin, or “bad” Latin language. Because, of course, all languages are mixes of previous languages. We wrote a 600 pages book about the evolution of languages where we explain in detail how there is no such thing as Spanish, Catalan, English and so forth. Languages are in a constant movement and are comprised, just like those “sarmale” food, of many kinds of flavors. Catalan, French, Romanian, Italian and so forth, are languages that have evolved from Latin. And Latin evolved from other language(s).

To my Catalans readers, to put it simply, the Catalan language (and this applies for every single language) is this:

ONE:

A “bad” version of another language that over time mutated into its own language.

By “bad” I mean people will start to speak an official language (like Latin) in different ways (accents, new words, new ways to write it, etc.) and in the beginning this is considered as “bad” since it deviates from the “rules of the current language”.

But this “bad” will become the “rule”, just as the “rule” was also “bad” at some point. That’s how languages evolve.

TWO

A language that stole words from other languages. Directly, shamelessly, and constantly.

Do you know how Catalans call the “Internet”? Well, “internet”. Inter-Net. Borrowed from the Americans.

Catalan, like all languages, is full of these stolen words, expressions, and meanings.

THREE

A language that is vastly different from its own origins.

The Catalan that was spoken hundreds of years ago is vastly different from the one spoken today.

That’s the case with every single language.

#catalan #catala #language #trom #tromsite #catalonia

Snippet from Culture Cancer:

When Sasha had to take a course about protecting the marine environment in Catalonia, since she was working as a diver, all of the materials they were being provided were in Catalan. None in Spanish. Despite the fact that so many divers in this region are from outside of Catalonia and do not speak Catalan.

[Mind you Spanish is also an official language in Catalonia]

Actually half of the teachers for this course chose to only speak Catalan, despite a few students saying that they do not understand Catalan well, only Spanish.

One teacher asked if there is anyone who does not understand Catalan – Sasha and 3 others said they do not – and the teacher loudly, proudly and confidently said that is his right to speak Catalan and he will do so, albeit more slowly. As if you can slow-talk Korean to me, and I will get it, despite not understanding Korean.

The final exam was, of course, in Catalan only…

What is more important, enforcing your preferred language or protecting the environment? If that course was about protecting the environment, then that should be the most important, no?

I cannot imagine someone coming to Romania, where I am originally from, and I or others to refuse to speak a common language with them. To exclude and marginalize them. This is an awful situation that makes the marginalized ones hate on you and your language.

This situation in Catalonia made me think about Cancer. How cancer is basically normal cells going rogue. They work against the other cells and eventually the body. And we risk to do that among each other, which leads to a cancerous society that is going downhill.

But we cannot simply accuse some Catalans for being cunts with others. Cuntalans! Maybe we are the cunts, the outsiders?! Maybe there is a reason why they behave like that!

#catalonia #catala #catalan #spain #diving #tromsite #trom #language #discrimination

Snippet from Culture Cancer:

In fact I’ve been living in Catalonia for 15 years now and I noticed a concerning trend. At least from my own perspective. Despite people here knowing Spanish perfectly fine, at times they may only choose to speak Catalan with you, even when you try to speak Spanish with them.

When I was taking driving lessons and was in the car with other Catalan students, I would mention that I only understand Spanish and not Catalan. And yet they would only speak Catalan with themselves and the teacher. Marginalizing me. The teacher had to awkwardly translate from Catalan to Spanish for me, despite the fact that everyone in that car knew Spanish…So why not simply speak Spanish then!? For me is a no-brainer.

When you have to deal with the hospital here, they will always send you messages or print medical results or treatments into Catalan, despite you making them aware that you do not understand Catalan. A reminder that Spanish is also an official language in Catalonia.

It is so awkward to go into a shop, open the conversation in Spanish, and only be replied in Catalan. So they understand, but refuse to speak Spanish. By “they” I do not mean all, but a good chunk of the people I have interacted with. Granted I rarely interact with people. But still, this is something well known in Catalonia.

#catalonia #language #marginalization #culture #trom #tromsite #catalunia #catala #catalan #spain