Learn catalan or spanish for barcelona?

Question

I'm going to barcelona in october and I want to be able to speak at least a bit of the local lingo. Just to show that i've made the effort even though their english will be much better!

So should i learn catalan or spanish. Which will more people understand and which will they appreciate more?

Answer 1

I live in Barcelona. Defo go with the Spanish, it's more useful in the long run and everyone here uses it. You'll find that you pick up some important Catalan phrases anyway. Also the Generalitat (council) run free Catalan courses so you can study here if you really feel the need to. The Catalans are really proud people so if you really want to impress them, go for Catalan!

Answer 2

If you are going to any part of Spain you'd be better off learning Castellano Spanish (normal Spanish spoken by the vast majority) Catalan is no use anywhere else in the world (well almost) so it in your best interest to learn something that could be of value elsewhere at a later date.

I live in the Communidad Valenciano and have done so for 16 years, over the years I have been here, there has been a growing push for more of the Valenciano dialect to be spoken and understood (it is the same as Catalan) but my argument is always this:

What use is it to me if I go to South America for example, none! Whilst I understand some Valenciano I have no desire to speak it, I speak good Castellano and that is out of great respect for my adopted home and its people but not the actual place I am residing at present.

My grand daughter has to learn Valenciano in school, it's compulsory. Poor kid is only 5 and has an English mother,Spanish father from Andalucia and so has 2 languages at present, now she has to start Valenciano!!

Answer 3

I have recently learnt to speak Spanish. I got on okay when I was in Barcelona. Actually, I live in Andalucia and I found it easier to converse in Barcelona than here. Just learn some Spanish, and whatever you say, just keep it simple.

Answer 4

Spanish is the language that everybody talks in Spain,and is definitely easier than catalan (that just some people talks in Spain) . I think they will apreciate if you learn some spanish.

Good luck!!

Answer 5

learn catalan not spanish

Answer 6

I've lived in Barcelona for the last 9 years and have to say that although the Catalans wouldn't like it, it's probably better to learn Spanish. The reason for this is that there are so many South American Immigrants living in BCN that unless you go to specific 'barrios' e.g. Gracia you'll here more Spanish than Catalan.

If on the other hand you're going to live just a little way from BCN then Catalan is the language to learn.

There are free courses from the Generalitat (I did a few) but theses are very difficult to get into as there are many people looking for places.

It's always nice to be able to speak some phrases of Catalan though and people appreciate the effort.

Enjoy your stay here!

Answer 7

Both Landguages are spoken but there are some people that are only Catalan speaking so , i would at least try to learn some catalan words to impress them.. Here are links of Both Catalan & Spanish...

http://www.easycatalan.com/easycatalan/B...

http://members.aol.com/alvareze/spanish/...

Cuida´t ( Catalan for Take care)

An American Living in Barcelona,

Bcn_mimosa

Answer 8

Hello, I'm spanish.

Spanish is talked in all the country, everybody in

Barcelona can speak in spanish and in catalan,

this isn't a problem

Answer 9

Ohh don't worry, speak in spanish!

I live in Barcelona, I know catalan butr you can speak in spanish. People understand it!