Barcelona serves as the capital of the autonomous community of Catalonia. Reflecting this regional tie is the fact that Barcelona is home to two languages: Catalan and Spanish. Travelers to Spain are certainly aware of the usage of Spanish, but how many know in advance about the regional languages? Or the significance of the regions at all? Let’s brush up on some essential facts about Catalonia and the language of Catalan.
Image courtesy of Britannica.
A Comunidad Autónoma (Autonomous Community)
Regional affiliation in Spain is not just a matter of identity, it’s also a matter of government. The autonomous communities of Spain have the right to self-government (manifest as unique, local/regional government bodies), and as a whole possess their own culture, foods, and languages. These autonomous communities have had to fight for recognition of their individual importance multiple times in history, even before the concept of ‘Spain’ existed.
Catalonia, for instance, has had fluctuating autonomy ever since the time that Rome controlled the Iberian Peninsula. The most notable instance of regional suppression came in the 1900s with the dictatorship of Franco. The fascist government suppressed regional identity and nationalized governmental control. It wasn’t until 1979, several years after Franco died, that regional power was restored to Catalonia.
Other regions regained access to the same freedoms around this time as well. Catalan has retained its right to self-governance and cultural identity ever since.
The Languages of Barcelona
Usage of Catalan has suffered in recent years, but this decline certainly does not mean the language is irrelevant. Far from it — it indicates a necessity for appreciation and preservation.
When visiting Barcelona, don’t just practice Spanish to keep up with the locals! Consider looking into common Catalan phrases, too. Immerse yourself in Spain’s culture and Catalonia’s culture; they fought well to ensure their culture is still seen today.
Sources Used
Anthony, Dani. “Top Ten Origins: Catalonia (Catalunya) and Spain.” Ohio State University. Last modified December, 2017. https://origins.osu.edu/connecting-history/top-ten-origins-catalonia-catalunya-and-spain.
Britannica. “Catalonia.” Last modified March 17, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/place/Catalonia.
Nationalia. “Less than a third of Catalonia’s population has Catalan as their most frequenty [sic] used language.” Last modified February 19, 2025. https://www.nationalia.info/brief/11666/less-than-a-third-of-catalonias-population-has-catalan-as-their-most-frequenty-used-langua.