The Catalan-speaking world
Where Catalan is spoken, major varieties, and how to choose a model.
One language, several established varieties
Catalan is spoken across Catalonia, the Valencian Community (where the official traditional name is Valencià), the Balearic Islands, Andorra, the eastern strip of Aragon, Northern Catalonia in France, and the city of Alghero in Sardinia. It is Andorra’s sole official language and shares official status in several Spanish autonomous communities.
What this course teaches
The pronunciation model is contemporary central Catalan as heard in Barcelona. Grammar and vocabulary follow the shared standard codified across the language. Important Valencian and Balearic forms are identified when they affect comprehension; they are not treated as errors.
| Feature | Central / Barcelona | Common Valencian | Common Balearic |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-person present | jo parlo | jo parle | jo parl |
| This | aquest | este / aquest | aquest |
| Here | aquí | ací | aquí |
| Article in local speech | el / la | el / la | es / sa |
| Inchoative verb | serveixo | servisc | servesc |
Language choice in Barcelona
Many residents are bilingual in Catalan and Spanish, but language choice carries personal and social meaning. Catalan is normal in schools, public administration, media, culture, shops, and private life. Address people in Catalan without apologizing for learning. If someone answers in another language, you may politely ask to continue in Catalan.
Examples you can use
Parles català? N’estic aprenent.
Do you speak Catalan? I’m learning it.
Soc de fora, però visc a Catalunya.
I’m from elsewhere, but I live in Catalonia.
A València també es parla català, amb trets propis.
Catalan is also spoken in Valencia, with its own features.
A Andorra, el català és l’única llengua oficial.
In Andorra, Catalan is the only official language.
A Mallorca sentiràs articles com “es” i “sa”.
In Mallorca you will hear articles such as “es” and “sa”.
M’agradaria continuar la conversa en català.
I’d like to continue the conversation in Catalan.
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