The young man, who has demonstrated remarkable proficiency in Catalan within a few months, shared a video on Instagram expressing his views on linguistic integration. This post generated a wave of negative comments, including phrases like “you are in Spain and Spanish is spoken” or “if you speak Catalan, you are pathetic and renegade”.
“"When you arrive at a place that is not your own, no matter where you come from, you are the one who has to adapt. Not them to you."
The content creator expressed his surprise at the reaction, as his video had no intention of provoking. He emphasized that learning Catalan is an act of respect towards the culture and history of the place that has welcomed him, and that it does not compete with Spanish.
Furthermore, he recalled the historical difference between both languages, pointing out that Spanish was never prohibited, while Catalan was for 40 years, preventing its public use, teaching, and publication. Therefore, he concluded that Catalan does not represent any threat, but rather is the language of a community with a long history.
“"Catalonia has welcomed me with a generosity I did not expect; the least I can do is learn to speak with them in their own language."
The young man reiterated that his interest in the language has no hidden message or political agenda, but is a gesture of gratitude and a desire to connect better with the people of Catalonia, considering it a basic act when adapting to a new environment.
