Catalan Language Policy Faces New Criticism from Consell Social de la Llengua
The Consell Social de la Llengua Catalana criticizes the Catalan government's language policy, demanding the withdrawal of Prohens' plan and reinstatement of Catalan language requirements in public services.
- • Consell Social de la Llengua approved a critical report against the PP's language policy in Catalonia.
- • The report demands withdrawal of the voluntary language choice plan promoted by Marga Prohens.
- • It calls to reinstate Catalan certification for public healthcare jobs and introduces a welcoming plan for non-Catalan-speaking healthcare workers.
- • Requirements for Catalan language skills are requested for sports-related hires and businesses must provide customer service in Catalan.
Key details
The Catalan government's language policy has met fresh opposition as the Consell Social de la Llengua Catalana recently approved a critical report targeting the measures promoted by the Popular Party (PP) under President Marga Prohens. The report passed with 21 votes in favor and 24 abstentions, mostly from PP affiliates, and one vote against from Vox.
Among the report's main demands is the withdrawal of Prohens' voluntary language choice plan, which Vox has insisted upon to support the minority government. The council also calls for reinstating the Catalan language certification requirement for public healthcare workers, countering arguments that language proficiency hinders staff recruitment. It proposes a welcoming program to train healthcare professionals from other regions unfamiliar with Catalan.
The report stresses the need to impose language qualifications for hiring sports coaches, referees, and monitors, citing declining language skills in these positions. Further, it demands that public-facing businesses offer oral and written service in Catalan, with staff training to ensure compliance.
These measures reflect ongoing tensions surrounding Catalan linguistic normalization policies and highlight the fractious political environment in the autonomous community. The abstentions and opposition votes signify some division among political actors regarding language policy direction.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.