How do we define a minority language?
Catalan is spoken by 10.8 million in 4 countries and is considered a minority language.
Gaelic is spoken by 60,000 approx. in Scotland.
Though the number of Catalan speakers is so much higher than Scottish Gaelic speakers, it maintains its minority language status because it doesn't have a state.
Are they both minority languages to the same extent?
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What happens in the home? How are parents supported particularly in the early years? Are the majority of parents bilingual/multilingual? How long has it taken the Catalans to reach this comparatively very healthy state? What are the key factors taking them to where they are at today......social and cultural attitudes, political support/policies, financial?
ReplyDeleteWhat are their long term goals re "minority status"?
Well, the definition of "lesser used language" is sufficiently wide to cover the situation in a large country such as Spain and in a small country such as Scotland. How can I put that better?
ReplyDeleteWhat is a "lesser used language"? I think the criteria is that it is a language (not dialect) of the State which is lesser used than the majority or official language. As I recall, the wish was to concentrate on traditional languages of the country rather than the language of immigrants, even if there was a sizeable immigrant population speaking a particular language. Also I believe they (EU or EBLUL) wanted to take cognisance of the fact that some populations didn't necessarily keep within national borders. It's interested that Catalonia is spoken in 4 countries, I suppose it would be an example of this.
Sorry for rambling on ...
Newcomers to Catalonia are not obliged to learn Catalan, however they are strongly advised to because it will impact upon their ability to find employment. The Consortium for Linguistic Normalisation is given instructions by the Catalan Parliament and aims and objectives are formulated. There are 22 centres throughout Catalonia which tailor these aims and objectives for their own area so that they can facilitate adult learning in the Catalan language. Citizen participation and engamenent is fundamental, and Catlan speakers are encouraged to volunteer to help learners of the language. Learners of Catalan say that they are made to feel very welcome and that makes it easier for them.
ReplyDeleteCatalan is the language of the community and it is not seen as the responsibility of the schools to develop the language in the home.
If there are parents who do not have Catalan, then the children will translate for their parents.
It has taken 20 years for Catalan to be as healthy as it is today. Catalan is an official language of Catalonia and it receives support and funding from the Catalonian parliament.