If i learn spanish will i be understood by catalonians?

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Haggis B

Yes they would understand you.

There are always local dialects and different words, but they will understand you.

Stick to the basics, as these are the verbs and nouns that are the same.

They do of course have different words for some things, but most people in that area are bi-or sometimes tri-lingual.

Enjoy your surprise!

eriverpipe

Impress him by spelling barcelona correctly.....

quierounvaquero

Yeah. Spanish is spoken by everybody in Catalunya, especially in Barcelona. Catalan is mostly reserved for names of places and use in the home.

Wanna learn some?
www.bbc.co.uk/languages take the Spanish Steps course.

Here's something to start you off:
Â¿QuÃ© tal? - kay tal - How are you? ('Pleased to meet you' if shaking hands too.)
Una cerveza para mÃ, por favor - oohna ther-vay-tha- para me, por favor - a beer for me, please
Â¡Escucha, he aprendido un poco de espaÃ±ol! - es-coo-cha hay aprendido un poco day espanyol - Listen, I've learnt a bit of Spanish!

ISABEL: It's 'Catalan', not Catalonian, and it is a language of its own, not a dialect. They might be offended if you say it's a dialect.

milko

yes they will be very inpressed.//////////////

Jona

I am from Barcelona, everyone here is able to understand both Spanish and Catalan. Half of the people usually speak Spanish and the other half in Catalan. If you start speaking Spanish, they will answer you back in Spanish so don't worry at all. Languages are quiet close anyway as both come from Latin.

And no one here will be offended or will frown upon you if you speak Spanish at all, trust me, I live there. Usually immigrants only speak Spanish and there's no problem so even less if you're just a tourist.

Have fun here!

esther c

yes, of course, all catalonians speak spanish, so he will understand you... we are, the rest of Spain who don't understand them in fact...

SunnyDays

Castellano is the main dialect, standard Spanish if you like, so will be what your friend speaks. You will only have issue if you try to learn Valenciano or another dialect

oh why oh why

yes no problem nearly everyone speaks Castillano /Spanish

This is the barca football team song which is in catalan that might impress him if you could sing that

Tot el camp
Ã©s un clam
som la gent blau-grana
Tant se val d'on venim
si del sud o del nord
ara estem d'acord, ara estem d'acord.
una bandera ens agermana.

Blaugrana al vent
un crit valent
tenim un nom
el sap tothom:
BarÃ§a , BarÃ§a, BarÃ§a !

Jugadors, seguidors,
tots units fem forÃ§a.
Son molt anys plens d'afanys,
son molts gols que hem cridat
i s'ha demostrat , i s'ha demostrat.
que mai ningu no ens podrÃ torcer

Blau-grana al vent
un crit valent
tenim un nom
el sap tothom
BarÃ§a, BarÃ§a, BarÃ§a problem

To hear is sung go here
http://www.blau-grana.com/clam.html

Good luck

lady_in_blue_109

I am learning to speak Spanish, but bear in mind that accents are regional just like the UK.

Could a Geordie easily understand a Glaswegion even though they both speak the same language?

Typical differences are the use of local words (slang) and such as here in Andalucia, they do not pronounce the s. So Buenas Dias becomes Buen Dia. However, learn some of the basics, greetings, asking for things in a restaurant etc. and I am sure you will impress your friend.

Â¡Buen suerte!

tortugamerlin

Majority of the folks in Barcelona speak Spanish, but catalan is a very different language. Barcelona is a very cosmopolitan city and you should have no problems. As regards to your friend, I am sure he will be happy that you learnt a new language!
It's a great city and hope you have lots of fun.

memo

I don't really know but I really love to learn Spanish anyway there's no harm in learning a new language and when you learn teach me some

Joseph N

Spanish (Castellano) is the official language of Spain, however each region has its own dialect or language (Calalonia region where Barcelona is located, the language (dialect) is catalan; it is also spoken in parts of France, Corsica and Sardinia (Italy).

If you speak spanish to your friend he/she'll be impressed; if you can say few words in Catalan, am certain they'll be amazed because no one outside of the region speak catalan.

Try this link for an basic overview of Catalan

If you want to impress your friend in Barcelona, learn to speak Catalan. If you want to be snubbed and frowned upon, speak to him in Spanish.

In Catalunya they don't like to be considered Spanish speakers...

Isabel

Yes.
Spanish is the main language here, but there are some dialects: Catalonian in Catalunya, Gallego in Galicia and Euskera in the Basque Country.

Any catalonian will be able to understand your Spanish, but they are said to be a bit rude if you don't speak Catalonian...

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