Comments on: A common language for Spain

By: One National Language « The Linguist Blogger

One National Language « The Linguist Blogger — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:21:48 +0000

[...] like Catalan, Basque and Galician are resurging. Eleena, over at Voices en Español, has written an interesting article about how if the current trend continues, Spain could end up with a large number of citizens who [...]

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:00:33 +0000

I love the idea of multilingualism but it shouldn’t be done half way. I’ve met several people who claim to be bilingual but speak both languages with a noticeably foreign sounding accent and are not very literate in either one. Being a highly functional bilingual, trilingual, polyglot, etc. takes effort, time and a certain lifestyle.

It seems logical to me that if the citizens of a nation can only find enough time for one language, then let it be the same language for the whole country. If they can only find time for one and one half languages (i.e. not enough to reach a high level of master in both languages), then let it be something like what Ramses said: the main language in public schools and whatever other language the family wants at home.

By: Ramses

Ramses — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:42:44 +0000

I think the fact that there are several big languages in Spain is both a blessing and curse. A blessing because it gives a great diversity, a curse… well just read your article.

Here in the Netherlands there is one official language next to Dutch; Frisian. But because most Frisians learn Dutch as the primary language in school, there’s no problem regarding neglecting Dutch (is more like the other way around).

I think that Spanish should be used as the only language in schools in Spain, aswell as for public communication. What the people speak at home is their own business.