This economic crisis is beginning to take a tole on people's mental health.
The events this week in Mallorca have marked a major conflict in the ongoing war-of-languages between Spanish (Castellano) and Catalan (Catalá). For those who don't know, the two languages have similar Latin routes, and the grammatical structure is almost identical; however, a native Spanish speaker will still have a lot of trouble understanding Catalan. It should also be noted that the Catalan speakers from Catalonia (Catalunya) find it almost impossible to understand Mallorqui, which is the dialect of Catalan spoken in Mallorca; its like speaking with a potato in one's mouth.
During the reign of Franco (1939-1976), the widely despised ex-dictator of Spain, the other languages of Spain were widely (and violently) suppressed. For a country so small in relation to the US, there is a plethora of languages and dialects. Catalan/Valenciano, Euskera, Gallego, and Aronés are the co-official languages of Spain, and the autonomous governments use their respective language almost exclusively; this includes Mallorca and Les Illes Balears, where Catalan is the official language of the law (including their constitution). Since the death of Franco, the languages have all seen a rebirth of sorts. The most successful comeback of them all (judging by % of people speaking the language) would be Catalan.
Catalan is spoken in Catlalunya, Communidad Valenciano, and Les Illes Balears in Spain, but also spoken in Andorra (where it is the official language), Southern France, and Sardinia (Italy). In Catalunya and Les Illes Balears, the majority of schools and classes (including mine) are taught in Catalan. Street signs, advertisements, fliers, and laws are all written in Catalan. In Mallorca at least, speaking Catalan is a requirement for any government or teaching profession. My host mother, for example, was a biology major and has a degree in the field; however, when she moved to Mallorca from Valladolid, she couldn't even find a job as a teacher because she lacked the Catalan language in her résumé.
This ties us to the turbulent events of this week. El Govern de Les Illes Balears passed a law this week stating that all doctors and medical staff need to be fluent in Catalan. Many doctors are being examined and questioned on their Catalan language skills before being asked any questions about their skills as a medical personnel. This, naturally, has created a huge uproar on the island, and there have been a number of strikes called.
This law isn't just downright intolerant, its ridiculously stupid. Sa UIB, which is the university here, does not even have a medical program, and thus the majority of doctors and specialists practicing in Mallorca are from the Peninsula and most don't speak a word of Catalan. The government of Les Illes Balears claim that they are trying to preserve their "endangered" language, but the reality is that they are just being passive aggressive.
Hopefully all of these strikes and protests will be a wake up call to the Catalan speakers of Mallorca. Its one thing to preserve a language, but they need to find other ways, such as the liberal arts, to do so. Interfering in the health profession is going way to far, and speaking frankly, irresponsible.
They need to remember that SPANISH is the language of SPAIN.
This is what Catalan sounds like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVP5gAKF1pM
