What is the main language spoken in Barcelona: Spanish or Catalan?

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SUE

Everyone speaks Spanish in Spain. Period. If you initiate a conversation in CatalÃ¡n, they will respond in CatalÃ¡n, but they all speak Spanish.

The only thing I ran into was when we were explaining to this lovely woman that we were going to Girona, she corrected me...I was pronouncing the CatalÃ¡n name in Spanish...it's the other way around, she explained...Girona...with a French soft G, or Gerona, with a jota-g....(it's about all the spoken CatalÃ¡n I learned in 9 days, besides listening to announcements in the metro...)

You wil llove it! And it won't take you an hour to figure out the signage - which is ALL in CatalÃ¡n.

You might want to brush up on your Spanish at one of the many learning websites!

Have a great trip! (go to the CafÃ© Opera for churros and chocolate! on the Ramblas, across from the Opera)

willsy

You are correct in saying that that particular region in Spain speak Catalan. But Barcelona being a very cosmopolitan city will speak more Spanish than Catalan and also there will be loads of people who will also speak English.

chicken man

David has it. Everyone in Barcelona speaks Spanish. The natives prefer Catalan, but Barcelona has so may immigrants from other parts of Spain and Latin America that everyone is comfortable with Spanish. If I were in your position, I would learn the basic tourist phrases in Catalan to let people know that you know about and appreciate their language, but then focus on Spanish.

David B

I wouldn't worry - if you can speak spanish then it's definitely worth speaking to the locals in spanish, as they'll appreciate you making the effort, at least. Catalan is the officical language and preferred by many, but Spanish is also an official language, so people will reply to you in spanish too. Also, due to the highh level of immigrants in Barcelona, then many people don't speak Catalan, but spanish, so don't worry.

This site has a good guide, too: http://www.bcn-rentals.com

SOC JO! A capite ad calcem

Hi...this question touches me...IÂ´m Catalan and live in Barcelona.
The main language is Catalan,but Spanish is also very important and also used.For those with a bit of culture,we do not mind a foreigner to speak Spanish,of course not.Catalan is the first language in schools here,but everybody speaks and writes perfect Spanish as well.You can make sure nobody will say anything to you if you speak Spanish.
I always use Catalan first,but if I see people donÂ´t understand,as I speak both,I do not mind changing.After all itÂ´s always good to be bilingual,isnÂ´t it? Spanish isnÂ´t an outsiders language at all.

sborat

hi, I'm Italian and i visited Barcelona two years ago...
I can speak english, german and italian...
I went to Barcelona with my Friends.. some them can speak spanish..
In Barcelona every people can speak spanish, so we had a good time... Barcelona is a great city...

happy honeymoon...

pretty

I have lived in Spain for a year. From what I know of Barcelona, it is considered a bi-lingual city. Castellano, which is the typical Spanish language learned, is the national language of Spain and is really spoken everywhere in Spain. CatalÃ is spoken more commonly side-by-side in Barcelona and in much of northern Spain.

I would not worry about being considered an outsider. I have learned that attempting to speak any Spanish language is much appreciated. Barcelona is huge in the tourist industry and other languages and dialects are expected. I would practice the Spanish you know and really enjoy speaking it when you get to Spain. The people are really friendly and will not treat you any differently.

Good Luck & Have Fun!!!

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