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In:Catalan Sociolinguistics: State of the art and future challenges
Edited by Miquel Àngel Pradilla Cardona
[IVITRA Research in Linguistics and Literature 32] 2022
► pp. 119–138

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Chapter 9
Forty years of language policy in Catalonia (1980–2020)

Intervention in linguistic skills, practices and ideologies

ORCiD logo with link | Pompeu Fabra University
Published online: 1 December 2022
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/ivitra.32.09rie
Abstract
This article provides a summary of language policies implemented in Catalonia since the recovery of self-government in 1979, drawing attention to their main successes and failures and to their current challenges. It distinguishes three stages regarding the governmental intervention in linguistic skills, practices and ideologies. First, a large stage (1980–2002) of initial impetus and development, characterised by a significant social consensus around the need of recovering Catalan as a democratic right and unequivocal sign of the collective identity after Franco dictatorship. Second, a stage (2003–2010) of adaptive growth, marked by a huge demo-linguistic impact of international immigration, political instability and more contestation of language policies. Third, a stage (2011–2020) of discreet work, impacted by a strong nation-building conflict between Catalonia and Spain, the rise of secessionism and its subsequent repression by the State.
Article outline
  • 1.“Catalan is for everybody” and the notion of own language: 1980–2002
  • 2.“Catalan, our common language”: The impact of international immigration (2003–2010)
  • 3.Language policy in times of crisis (2011–2020)
  • 4.Conclusions
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
References (28)
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