Catalan Language: History, Evolution, and Sociolinguistics
Catalan: 18th-20th Century
During the 18th century and the first third of the 20th century, Catalan faced repression due to Spanish policies. The Decree of the New Plant restructured sociopolitical life, prohibiting Catalan publicly and fostering diglossia. Repression was stronger in Northern Catalonia. However, Spanish authorities maintained Catalan in certain areas, resulting in a bilingual society.
The Catalan Rebirth (1833)
The publication Homeland marked a cultural revival, extending to Valencia and the Balearic Islands with limited success. Many intellectuals embraced the Renaissance culture, and the Floral Games were revived in 1859. This led to further repression, but Catalan identity persisted, with Prat de la Riba leading the Provincial Council of Barcelona. Pompeu Fabra’s standardization efforts (IRC 1913) significantly impacted language reform. Catalan normalization continued into the early 20th century but was interrupted by Primo de Rivera’s regime. The Catalan language post-Franco differed significantly from its pre-regime form.
Language and Society
Sociolinguistics introduces the concept of a linguistic community, encompassing:
- Language
- Rules
- Social Network
- Symbols
- Territory
Language use varies based on individuals, situations, and subjects. Usage rules are conventional yet perceived as natural. Linguistic self-hate can arise from usage biases.
Language Contact
Monolingualism: Only one language is spoken.
Bilingualism: More than one language is dominant. Types of bilingualism include:
- Individual Bilingualism: Mastery of two languages, which can be asymmetrical or symmetrical, integrative or instrumental.
- Territorial Bilingualism: A policy area with two languages.
- Social Bilingualism: Language choice is influenced by societal power dynamics.
Diglossia
Diglossia occurs when two varieties of a language are used in different domains. Fishman (1971) noted that languages occupy specific domains. The minority language may undergo language shift, leading to its disappearance.
Linguistic Normalization
Normalization reorganizes language functions within a society through:
- Normative usage (social uses of language)
- Favorable legal framework
- Recovery and political power
- Societal means
Language Death
Of the estimated 10,000 languages, 6,000 remain, and a further decline to 3,000 is projected within the next century. Languages die when there are no competent speakers. Language shift, the final stage, involves:
- Linguistic Structure: Initial impoverishment followed by internal breakdown.
- Social Body: Initial bilingualism, then a shift towards one language, culminating in complete replacement.
Causes of language death include:
- Physical Causes: Disappearance of speakers.
- Social Causes: Cultural assimilation.