Why is Avingunda (avenue) Paral-lel in Barcelona called that?

Question

Hi Guys,

Why is Avingunda Paral-lel in Barcelona called that? What is the avenue parallel to? Also, why spell it the english way with a dash? Why not use the Spanish/Catalan form?

Answer 1

"Paral·lel" is in Catalan language. We use a lifted point in the middle of the two "l", not a dash for special "l" sound. This is the only language in the world with this thing.

In Spanish language is "Avenida Paralelo".

Answer 2

it is catalán language

in Spanish it would be Avenida Paralela

it is just a name

Answer 3

"Preparing for the 1888 Universal Exposition, one of the great world's fairs that were a feature of late-nineteenth-century Europe and the United States, the city had undertaken massive public building projects near the harbor. One part not completed until 1894 was the construction of a new street, Marquis of Duero Avenue, that ran from the harbor to Main Street (Gran Vía or Avenida Corts Catalans), dividing Dry Town. Although named for the marquis of Duero, the street (and the neighborhood around it) was popularly called "the Parallel" allegedly after a local tavern owned by a geographer who noted that a previous parallel of latitude ran through the street".

So it's not parallel to anything and the word parallel refers to a line of latitude, so that's why they use the geographical term.

Answer 4

Isn't that the Catalán spelling?  I just assumed, since everything else in Barça is Catalán, that THAT was, also.

And it ISN'T the English spelliing, either.