Valenciano

Valenciano is a variety of the Catalan language traditionally spoken in the Valencian Community of eastern Spain. It is one of several standardized forms of Catalan, alongside Central Catalan, Balearic Catalan and the varieties spoken in the Pyrénées-Orientales. The language has been used in everyday communication, literature, administration, and education in Valencia for centuries.

The earliest written records of Valencian date from the 13th century, when the region was part of the Crown of Aragon. During the Middle Ages, Valencian developed a distinct literary tradition, with medieval authors such as Ausiàs March and Joanot Martorell producing works that are now considered classics of Catalan literature. In the modern era, the language has experienced periods of suppression and promotion. Under Franco's regime the use of Valencian in public life was discouraged, but after the Spanish transition to democracy in the 1970s it has seen a revival, culminating in the 1982 Statute of Autonomy for the Valencian Community which granted the language official status.

Today Valenciano is taught in primary and secondary schools, and it is used in regional media, including television, radio and print. Legislative frameworks, such as the 2010 Royal Decree that defined the "Valencian Traditional Variation," shape contemporary usage. The Royal Academy of Valencian Culture, a body founded in 2003, coordinates lexicographic and normative work, ensuring that Valencian maintains an independent cultural identity within the broader Catalan-speaking world.