Hi, some experience with local languages below - the original with photo
is on my blog: http://sabinecretella.blogspot.com

Of course comments are highly appreciated.

Cheers, Sabine

*****

During the last three days I was in Barcelona at the European Forum on
Science Journalism, but more about that during the following days. Now I
want to talk about a language that has made its comeback into every day
life and is doing really well.

I have been to Barcelona quite a long time ago, just for a transfer to
change airplane and reach Malaga. Then I remember the signs at the
ariport were in Spanish and English. Today when you come out of the
airport you see them in Catalan, English, Spanish. Now you will say: but
what's so special, right? Well, I already know that Catalan now is
"official", but one thing is knowing it and a different one is
experiencing it. Imagine the Naples airport with signs in Neapolitan,
English and Italian or the Turin airport with Piedmontese, English and
Italian ... it gives a very particular feeling to see that. In Catalonia
people are very proud of their language and culture. When you talk to
them they will tell you that it is relevant to use it for anything, at
home and in business and of course at school or universities.

I was not sure about what to do: going by bus to the city centre or
taking a taxi, but considering that probably Sunday around noon was the
only moment when I could have a short walk in the centre I chose the
bus. It turned out to be the right decision ...

When I reached the centre I saw something that looked a bit like a
market and of course: I had to go there and see what was on. It was an
exhibition of goods with labels in Catalan and there was an information
stand. So I looked a bit around to see what they had. I started to talk
with some young people who could not really understand English and so
they called a man who then spoke French. Well my French is far from
being perfect, but we managed to talk and so I found out he was the
husband of the president of ADEC (Associació en Defensa de l'Etiquetatge
en Català) and that they are actively promoting Catalan and with that
typical Catalan products.

They had publicity material and I took some of them with me. I also got
the contact to the association itself - that is: I will need to write
them, but I should do that in Catalan - so if there is someone out there
who can help, it would be great.

Besides all the other particular things and also similarities I found
between the Amalfi Coast's traditions and typical things in Barcelona, I
immediately had one thing come in mind: if this is Catalonia and it is
so distinct in how things go and are done, in architecture etc. how
might other regions of Spain be? I mean: I had that feeling of wanting
to know more.

Now what does that tell us: I was looking at Barcelona with the eyes of
a tourist and seeing all these particularities with all these particular
names brought me to the conclusion that besides Catalonia there are many
other regions of Spain to be explored. This was local languages applied
- unification using diversification. Underlining the differences
Catalonia helps the other regions in Spain to become more relevant as
well. Tourists will come back over and over again, because they will
feel the need that there is really a lot to discover.

Now imagine how that would be when a tourist comes to Italy. Having
different languages which distinguish the local products from the
national onew will help them discovering Italy - if you have the same
name written on a product you need to read further to understand where
things are from and the local product, the particularities loose much of
their marketing force. Instead of just buying a bottle of wine when they
go back home that is from Italy they will buy various bottles of wine:
from Sicily, Tuscany, Campania, Puglia, Veneto, Piedmont (just to name
some). That is: it would increase the demand and therefore economy would
have better prospectives.

In Catalonia they went so far to have Catalan also in Universities, used
for research, in schools. Kids grow up with Catalan and Spanish on one
level and immediately also start with English. This means these kids
will be used to think in various ways and will be able to easily connect
to other cultures. They will be better communicators. And this will lead
again to economical advantages for the region.

Of course we cannot apply everything at once, but step by step
reconsidering what local culture really is about, we can follow this
really great example Catalonia is giving us.

The same is valid for the whole world - for all regions, all people, any
culture.

And yes: sooner or later I'll be back in Barcelona and discover it more
deeply. During the next days I'll (time permitting) tell you more about
the Museum, the conference, people I met ...

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Posted By Sabine Cretella to words & more at 12/05/2007 12:14:00 PM