Quote:
i think you are confused with Catalan.
Oh no I'm not. I know they speak Catalan too. However, they make a point of referring to Spanish (as we call it abroad) as castellano as a way of reinforcing the identity of Catalan as a separate language ( when it is realy a dialect).Originally Posted by danielmadrid07
<<<<<Oh no they don't. They speak castellano, and it's a touchy subject<<<< i think you are confused with Catalan.
In response to my raised eyebrow, I was told several times that I didn't speak American, I spoke English.
This catalan thing is a bit out of control. If you go to the FNAC in BCN, you'll see all the signage in Catalan. The books in the shelves are in, um, Castellano but at least the signage is in Catalan.
They're running their own little Québec from the top down, over there.
Spain as a whole is a country featuring many diverse regions and languages. It is actually more like being in many countries rather than just one.
In Catalonia, they consider Catalan the main language. In Galicia, it is Gallego (Galician). In the Basque region, it is Euskera, and even Valencia has a Lengua Valenciana which is essentially Catalan (but don't tell a native of Valencia this..!) All signage such as in airports is posted first in the region's language and then in Spanish (Castellano) and then usually in English.
The intense feeling of diversity in the language is also important enough to justify studios making TV shows and movies being dubbed in all the languages. (Just got through watching an old episode of Murder She Wrote in Catalan, matter of fact, quite interesting LOL) and seperate news programs in the languages.
Even in Andalucia, they speak Spanish with a distinct different accent.
But you're totally right, the country itself's official language is Spanish which is often called Castellano in all regions, not just Catalonia (Barcelona). You are also right in that there is a lot of drama countrywide involving the languages but usually, as a tourist, if you go to Barcelona, for example, they will not snub you for speaking Castellano (Spanish) and not Catalan. However, if I were to go as a Spaniard, and did not make atleast a small effort to partake in some Catalan, I would get some form of cold shoulder at some point, often times by an older person.
In Catalonia, they consider Catalan the main language. In Galicia, it is Gallego (Galician). In the Basque region, it is Euskera, and even Valencia has a Lengua Valenciana which is essentially Catalan (but don't tell a native of Valencia this..!) All signage such as in airports is posted first in the region's language and then in Spanish (Castellano) and then usually in English.
The intense feeling of diversity in the language is also important enough to justify studios making TV shows and movies being dubbed in all the languages. (Just got through watching an old episode of Murder She Wrote in Catalan, matter of fact, quite interesting LOL) and seperate news programs in the languages.
Even in Andalucia, they speak Spanish with a distinct different accent.
But you're totally right, the country itself's official language is Spanish which is often called Castellano in all regions, not just Catalonia (Barcelona). You are also right in that there is a lot of drama countrywide involving the languages but usually, as a tourist, if you go to Barcelona, for example, they will not snub you for speaking Castellano (Spanish) and not Catalan. However, if I were to go as a Spaniard, and did not make atleast a small effort to partake in some Catalan, I would get some form of cold shoulder at some point, often times by an older person.
"Spain as a whole is a country featuring many diverse regions and languages. It is actually more like being in many countries rather than just one."
Agreed. Barcelona and the Basque Country are just a short flight apart, but are completely different. Barcelona feels like Southern California where San Sebastian has feels cold and foggy. And neither wants to speak Castilian Spanish!
Agreed. Barcelona and the Basque Country are just a short flight apart, but are completely different. Barcelona feels like Southern California where San Sebastian has feels cold and foggy. And neither wants to speak Castilian Spanish!
I would echo the calls for Madrid... people in other parts of Spain reluctantly speak "castellano" but you're forgiven as a foreigner. I think BCN could be confusing if you're learning Spanish because Catalan is definitely the prevailing language...
Barcelona or Madrid?
Am sure this one has been covered before but didn't see it so...
Fares are about the same, so which one to choose for a short 3 day visit?
A good gay scene is appreciated but also interested in museums, shopping, and ease of getting around town. Any/all ideas are appreciated. Thanks.
[Added by FlyBalletGuy - this was posted separately, and mered into a prior thread]
Fares are about the same, so which one to choose for a short 3 day visit?
A good gay scene is appreciated but also interested in museums, shopping, and ease of getting around town. Any/all ideas are appreciated. Thanks.
[Added by FlyBalletGuy - this was posted separately, and mered into a prior thread]
Quote:
Fares are about the same, so which one to choose for a short 3 day visit?
A good gay scene is appreciated but also interested in museums, shopping, and ease of getting around town. Any/all ideas are appreciated. Thanks.
[Added by FlyBalletGuy - this was posted separately, and mered into a prior thread]
Originally Posted by gtownguy
Am sure this one has been covered before but didn't see it so...Fares are about the same, so which one to choose for a short 3 day visit?
A good gay scene is appreciated but also interested in museums, shopping, and ease of getting around town. Any/all ideas are appreciated. Thanks.
[Added by FlyBalletGuy - this was posted separately, and mered into a prior thread]
It's really quite easy my dear!
If you are interested in Spanish men, go to Madrid.
If you are interested in Spanish fashion, go to Barcelona.
Quote:
If you are interested in Spanish men, go to Madrid.
If you are interested in Spanish fashion, go to Barcelona.
I'll need to add Madrid to my list then Originally Posted by saint82
It's really quite easy my dear!If you are interested in Spanish men, go to Madrid.
If you are interested in Spanish fashion, go to Barcelona.
Quote:
If you are interested in Spanish men, go to Madrid.
If you are interested in Spanish fashion (and food), go to Barcelona.
If you are interested in Spanish men with fashion, go to Sitges!Originally Posted by saint82
It's really quite easy my dear!If you are interested in Spanish men, go to Madrid.
If you are interested in Spanish fashion (and food), go to Barcelona.
Regarding museums in both cities:
In MAD, three of the world's finest museums are all within walking distance to each other - Thyssen Bornemesa (sp?), El Prado and the Museo Nacional Centro del Arte Reina Sofia. In BCN, go and see the Picasso Museum, The Miro Museum, the Contemporary Arts Museum and Gaudi's architecture, especially La Sagrada Familia, which is a cathedral in continuous construction.
For shopping in both cities:
In MAD, you might want to check out the Salamanca district. In BCN, you might check out Passeig de Gracia and Avenguda Diagonal. Both are shopping streets in the city.
Getting around:
Both cities are highly walkable in spots of each city. BCN has the incredible La Rambla and tree lined avenues that will rival Paris anyday. Madrid is more classical, in fact Baroque in its urban design. Public transportation is good in both cities. MAD is more like New York. You either take the metro (subway) there or the bus. In BCN, the neighborhoods and centers are more spreadout like Los Angeles. You can get around with bus, metro and tramvia. BCN also has an interesting gondola system as well as a telerific (sp?) or funicular system to get you up high into the mountains.
Regarding something about language that I found to be progressive is that the City of Barcelona has passed a decree or a city ordinance a couple years ago stating that Barcelona has two official languages: Catalan and Castellano. The ordinance also states that all other languages spoken must be tolerated in the city. Very interesting.
In MAD, three of the world's finest museums are all within walking distance to each other - Thyssen Bornemesa (sp?), El Prado and the Museo Nacional Centro del Arte Reina Sofia. In BCN, go and see the Picasso Museum, The Miro Museum, the Contemporary Arts Museum and Gaudi's architecture, especially La Sagrada Familia, which is a cathedral in continuous construction.
For shopping in both cities:
In MAD, you might want to check out the Salamanca district. In BCN, you might check out Passeig de Gracia and Avenguda Diagonal. Both are shopping streets in the city.
Getting around:
Both cities are highly walkable in spots of each city. BCN has the incredible La Rambla and tree lined avenues that will rival Paris anyday. Madrid is more classical, in fact Baroque in its urban design. Public transportation is good in both cities. MAD is more like New York. You either take the metro (subway) there or the bus. In BCN, the neighborhoods and centers are more spreadout like Los Angeles. You can get around with bus, metro and tramvia. BCN also has an interesting gondola system as well as a telerific (sp?) or funicular system to get you up high into the mountains.
Regarding something about language that I found to be progressive is that the City of Barcelona has passed a decree or a city ordinance a couple years ago stating that Barcelona has two official languages: Catalan and Castellano. The ordinance also states that all other languages spoken must be tolerated in the city. Very interesting.