During the last academic quarter, the Linguistic Normalization Center (CNL) of Osona hosted students from UVic-UCC for a joint activity. The meeting included an informative session on the CNL's work and conversation spaces to share experiences related to the Catalan language and learning processes.
This initiative, part of the Language and Society course at UVic-UCC, has resulted in a series of eight podcasts available on the [UVic Podcast](https://mon.uvic.cat/podcast/) platform. The programs use the conversations held during the visit as a starting point to address various topics.
The podcasts cover the Catalan language, migration, and coexistence in a diverse society. Participants explain their motivations for settling in Catalonia, the role of Catalan in their daily lives, and their perception of the language as a tool for social cohesion. They also share language learning experiences, including initial shyness, overcome difficulties, and curious situations encountered.
In addition to personal experiences, the programs incorporate reflections on social issues related to the migratory experience, such as integration challenges, cultural shock, and language shifts in daily interactions. The role of native languages and multilingual coexistence dynamics are also analyzed.
Some episodes delve into topics of shared interest, such as gastronomy, viewed as an element of cultural contact.
Participants from the CNL of Osona include Carmen (Colombian), Keiko (Peruvian), Alfonso (Peruvian), Sanae (Moroccan of Amazigh origin), Ashlye (Venezuelan), Dayana (Colombian), Nora (Austrian), and José William (Colombian), representing a diversity of migratory backgrounds and Catalan learning paths.
The creation of the podcasts has allowed CNL learners to practice their Catalan communication skills in a real context and participate in a dissemination project. For the Social Education students, it has been an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the relationship between language, identity, and social inclusion through direct testimonies.
Through this initiative, the CNL of Osona and UVic-UCC contribute to highlighting the linguistic and cultural diversity of the city of Vic and the region. The programs offer a plural perspective on migratory processes and Catalan language learning, emphasizing its role as a space for meeting and social participation.
