Miquel Porta Perales: Threat

The authorities of Barcelona insist and persist on the question of the Catalan language. They refuse to understand that it is citizens who choose one language or another for whatever reason or interest. But the authorities, stubborn, insist that it be … the language chosen by the speaker. In the last two weeks, a few more movements have been put into circulation, led by what we could call linguistic activism towards citizens who do not choose Catalan as their usual language.

First of all, we must talk about what is called the Commission for the Social Use of Catalan. Three objectives: to recover the loss of the use of Catalan in Barcelona, ​​to ensure that the restaurant complies with linguistic legislation which requires that “at least” Catalan be used in the menu and that the waiter understands Catalan, and to recruit new speakers, particularly among young people and new migrants. In other words, the Commission was created to satisfy a proposal from the CER.

Secondly, we must talk about the campaign – a guide that literally refers to the Commission for the Social Use of Catalan – implemented by the catering union called El català ben servit. The first step is to distribute a brochure in which the linguistic rights of businesses and customers of bars and restaurants will be explained: you must be able to serve customers in Catalan and all communications from the establishment must be written “at least” in Catalan.

The failure of the campaign of the Commission for the Social Use of Catalan and the Restoration Guild is assured. Another failure. Because? Two reasons, fundamentally: first, because it does not guarantee the linguistic rights of all but rather unprotects those of a large number, with the consequence of rejection; Second, because linguistic activism generates antibodies that do not promote the desired coexistence or social cohesion. In short, order and command – threat – does not work. They should already know that.

Session limit reached

• Access to Premium content is open thanks to the establishment you are in, but there are currently too many users connected at the same time. Please try again after a few minutes.

try again

You have exceeded the session limit

• You can only start three sessions at a time. We have closed the oldest session so you can continue browsing the rest without limits.

Continue browsing