Should i learn catalan

I've had some of the best experiences of my time here because I know Catalan or at least showed interest in learning some. I speak better Catalan than Spanish and I don't feel like I have too much of a problem communicating. The only issue is that there are a lot of foreigners in BCN who don't speak Catalan, so they speak to you in Spanish, but most of them understand Catalan reasonably well since it's pretty similar to Spanish and you'll be able to understand whichever language you're not actively learning eventually too, just from being here.

Also most of the time you will be able to make yourself understood in English as a last resort though learning the language is always best. To learn Catalan, try parla. I'm agree with your points 1,2,3. About 4: many not, everyvody here we grow with a bilingual education in catalan and spanish. Now, they are adding a real trilingual education with english.

Do you really live in Barcelona? Hey I'm from Barcelona and I live here, and for sure, a lot of catalan people speak english. For sure Barcelona is not like i. Amsterdam, Stockholm or other cities from the north of Europe where almost everybody speak english. Please, let me put an objection , and clarify two of the points that Adrian wrote so kindly Here is my objection:. And if so, I think it would be due to small mind slips So kids learn both languages at the same time from day one.

Many studies and national tests certify that the level of Spanish of kids in Catalonia, is on national average. Oversimplified; your kids will learn Spanish as decently as average places in Spain and, also, Catalan. Also , Barcelona is a very multicultural and modern city, there is literally lots of local and foreign English Speakers I'm self thaugt myself First of all thank u very much for your help.

I would like also to ask if you can recommend an internet site as far as renting or selling houses privat and not from real estate agencies. We hope we find great help in Barcelona because we don't know people there and it will be a big and risky step for us. That was my experience - I guess experiences can vary widely, although mine does not seem to have been very different from other expats'. Of course this is a generalization and of course there are people that speak English - but they are not relevant in the context of this question, at least not per my experience.

Q: I'm visiting Barcelona, and I was just wondering, should my friend and I learn phrases in Spanish or Catalan before we go? Are they both equally accepted? I read somewhere that Catalan people may look down on those who speak Spanish to them, given the history of the area. Any insight into this? I'd like to learn some Spanish just because it would be applicable to other places too.

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. A little — Spanish: un poco Catalan: un poc. Fortunately, knowing other Romance languages will give your Catalan learning process a boost! However, the differences between them are numerous. You will get to know the exceptions through use.

You can find a useful video on YouTube that details these differences between sounds and teaches many more! That is why you see so many words like these:.

Apparently, there are several words you already know in Catalan and you were not even aware of it! Thank goodness we have some cognates over here!

A major difference between Spanish and Catalan is that several words ending in a very open, well-pronounced vowel in Castilian Spanish become vowel-less in Catalan. Here are some examples:. How much: Spanish — quanto Catalan: quant. Finally: Spanish — finalmente Catalan: finalment. Mandate: Spanish — mandato Catalan: mandat. These words are pronounced just like they look, with no sound after the last consonant.

As mentioned before, Catalan should not be reduced to or described as a piece of patchwork, designed with several other Romance languages. It is so much more complex, inspiring and unique than that! However, if you do have some basic notions of other languages, this knowledge will come in handy. Does it remind you of any other language? Catalan even shares several similarities with European Portuguese.

Spanish: llevar Catalan: llevar. Spanish: cercar Catalan: cercar. Spanish: afamada Catalan: afamada. Spanish: cocina Catalan: cosina. Spanish: hombres Catalan: ombres. Similar, right? In fact, they are so similar in writing and phonetics, you might think they mean the same thing, too!

Well, that is awkward! The other pairs in this list are all false friends, or false cognates —they look extremely similar but have different meanings. You will find several of these as you learn the two languages. What an unexpected turn of events! Try going with homes next time. Dog — Spanish: perro Catalan: gos. Ice — Spanish: hielo Catalan: gel. To want — Spanish: querer Catalan: voler. To talk, to speak — Spanish: hablar Catalan: parlar.

I am called Maria.