Catalanspeaking

Catalanspeaking refers to communities and individuals who use the Catalan language, a Romance language that developed in the eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula. Catalan is spoken in a zone that includes Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Community in Spain; Andorra; the historical region of Northern Catalonia in southern France; and the island of Sardinia in Italy (notably Alghero). It is also spoken by diaspora communities across Europe, the Americas, and beyond.

Demographically, native Catalan speakers are estimated at around 9 to 10 million, with many more using it as a second language or for study. The language comprises several regional varieties, with Central Catalan forming the basis for standard written norms, while Valencian and Balearic varieties have strong local traditions and vocabulary.

Official status and policy: In Andorra, Catalan is the official language. In Spain, Catalan is co-official with Spanish in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Community, and it is widely used in education, administration, media, and public life. In France and Italy, Catalan has no national official status, but regional and local protections support its use among certain communities, notably in the Roussillon (France) and Alghero (Sardinia).

Standardization and use: The language is codified through norms developed by the Institute of Catalan Studies (Institut d'Estudis Catalans, IEC). Separate bodies oversee Valencian and related varieties. Dialects include Central Catalan, Valencian, Balearic, and Alguerese, among others, and mutual intelligibility varies across regions.

Catalan media, literature, and education sustain Catalanspeaking communities. In Catalan-speaking areas, Catalan is used in schools and universities, television and radio, newspapers, and online platforms, contributing to its continued vitality and regional cultural identity.