The event, titled “Boosting Catalan from the Municipalities: 40 Proposals for Action,” was chaired by the Minister of Linguistic Policy, Francesc Xavier Vila, and highlighted the situation of Catalan in the Pyrenean region.
According to explanations by Anna Torrijos, head of studies and indicators at the Department of Linguistic Policy, the Alt Pirineu stands out for having a higher percentage of Catalan knowledge and use than the average for Catalonia. 56.4% of the population aged 15 or over uses Catalan habitually, surpassing the 51.2% of initial speakers, which indicates a significant adoption of the language by new speakers.
Despite these positive data on knowledge, the habitual use of Catalan has experienced a drop of almost ten percentage points. This decrease is mainly attributed to the increase in the foreign-born population, which, while contributing to an absolute growth in knowledgeable speakers, has diluted the overall percentage of users.
Among young people aged 15 to 29, Catalan as an initial language reaches 52.2%. Intergenerational transmission also shows a favorable trend, with 61.5% speaking Catalan with their children, a higher percentage than communication with grandparents or mothers (53.8%).
“"This Government stands with municipalities as key agents to reverse the negative dynamics pressing on the language. The future of Catalan is built together, with daily decisions and local commitments. Every gesture and every initiative contributes to strengthening the language. That is why we ask you to act and, together, to restore the language to its rightful place."
Minister Francesc Xavier Vila concluded the conference with an appeal to the municipalities of the Alt Pirineu and all of Catalonia, emphasizing the importance of municipal action to complement educational efforts and strengthen Catalan in adult life.
