Albisteak
Some data about the English language
A number of data have recently been published by the Baròmetre, the most comprehensive survey ever carried out in the Catalonian regions, or indeed the world, focusing on cultural consumption among the population of the Balearic Islands, Valencia and Catalonia. Forty thousand surveys were distributed all over the region, and it is on the results of these that the figures are based, with a very small margin of error.
There has been much comment recently in the media regarding the current cultural consumption habits of young people, media ranking and other data of interest for the majority of the population. Of these, there is one which, from my point of view at least, is particularly relevant and which, for some reason, has not been highlighted at all by the media: in the Catalonian regions, there are only approximately one million people who are more or less fluent in the English language.
One million English-speakers in a community of approximately twelve million is a very low percentage, especially given that we are talking about the international language of communication par excellence. A lingua franca spoken by only 1/12 of the population of the Catalonian regions is by no means something of which our society is aware. We could perhaps find some consolation in the fact that the rest of Spain is, at least, even less multilingual than we are. Or that the level of English in the various Castilian regions is (proportionally) even lower than in our ones. But this is poor consolation indeed.
If we want to be leaders in the tourist industry and pioneers in new communications technologies, if we want to spearhead research and ensure that our universities are up to scratch, then we cannot continue to turn our backs on the English language, which is, I repeat, the international language of communication par excellence. One million out of twelve is pathetic, but even six out of twelve would still be nothing to write home about.
Our education system needs to adapt rapidly to new needs and requirements, such as ensuring students gain an adequate knowledge of the English language. Together, we should be able to rise to these new challenges.
And if we don't, then we will be no less provincial, no less parochial, than our neighbours. And that would be a great pity.
Bernat Joan i Marí
Expert in sociolinguistics and deputy in the European Parliament
