Do you need to know Catalan to live in Barcelona?
In short, yes you probably do. If you had to choose, Spanish is still more important and useful for foreigners to know than Catalan is. But you don’t need to choose, and you should aim to pick up at least some Catalan. The more you learn, the richer your experience here will be.
Should I learn Spanish or Catalan to live in Barcelona?
But which language will be most welcomed in Barcelona? A: It depends what your objective is. If you want to connect with Catalan culture and have a more personal insight into the indigenous culture, then it’s best to learn Catalan. If you wish to be more widely understood, then learning Spanish would be the option.
Can you work in Barcelona without speaking Catalan?
If you don’t speak Spanish, you may be limited to hotel jobs in Barcelona, or to bars and restaurants (waitressing, dishwashing, food delivery). You can apply for a job in telesales, as an English teacher in Spain, or as an au pair if you have a good command of English.
Do I have to speak Spanish to live in Barcelona?
Both Catalan and Spanish (or Castellano as it is more often known) are official languages in Barcelona and many residents are bilingual, so ultimately, learning either of them will help you more than English will.
What languages do the Catalans speak?
Of those who speak it natively, nearly all are bilingual, speaking either French, Spanish (C astellano) or Italian in addition to Catalan, depending on where they live.
Is Catalan more similar to French or Spanish?
Catalan May Be More Similar To French Than Spanish. Although Catalan, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese and other European languages all have their origin in Latin (what are known as Romance languages), each has evolved in its own way.
Is Catalan the only official language in Andorra?
As much as Catalan may be the preferred language of choice among the local population of Catalonia, in Andorra Catalan is the sole official language. In Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands, Catalan is co-official alongside Spanish (castellano), meaning that all official communication must be available in both languages.
What caused the decline of the Catalan culture?
After the War of Spanish Succession (1701–1714) during which Catalonia lost its independence to King Philip V and the crown of Castille, Catalan culture underwent a period of decline, exacerbated by new laws insisting on the use of the Spanish language.