Valencian. Past....and future
Valencian is, actually, one of the two official languages of my autonomous community. However, there’s still a lot of controversy over the origins of the Valencian and the Catalan, and their relationship. Which one born first? The discussion is still opened among the linguistics, but the most widespread theory in this field is that the Valencian is a language stemmed from the Catalan, which is the official language of Catalonia.
What I learned at school is that, historically, the Valencian language has always existed as a Romance language born after the split of Latin language and dating, in early 1121, the roots of its own linguistic standards. Valencian, as Catalan (which acts nowadays as its Big Brother, and it’s the language that is struggling for international recognition), was totally developed in the 13th, 14th centuries and reached the peak of its literature in its ‘Golden 15th Century’ when the language spoken in the Kingdom of Valencia was named ‘Valencià’. There are famous classical writers from that age, such as: Ausias March (author of Tirant Lo Blanc), Jordi de San Jordi, Jaume March, Jaume Roig, Roiç de Corella, Joan Esteve , Pere Martínez, Marti de Viciana, etc. Surely, you won’t know any of them. Later, in 1982, the old Kingdom of Valencia was set up as an Autonomous Community, and the Law for the linguistic normalization of the Valencian language was approved on 23 November, 1983.
Valencian has more phonetic sounds than the Spanish language. It has also special features, such as the use of two different accents, one opened (à) and one closed (í), different pronouns, different grammatical rules, and so on. It’s said that if you can speak Catalan or Valencian, it will be easier for you to learn French, because they share a lot of sounds and also words. So, in one word, if you haven’t learnt Catalan or Valencian, you’ll need an English-Valencian or Spanish-Valencian dictionary to understand it properly.
The Valencian is the language used for everyday life in many places of the Valencian region, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. It’s more or less used depending on the place and its linguistic tradition. Both of these things are related to the history of that area. For example, Elche is traditionally a Spanish spoken city, whereas its surroundings can be classified as Valencia spoken areas.
Nowadays the use of the Valencian is declining in this area, despite the efforts of the regional government to promote it through the education, since you can choose among studying all the subjects in Valencian or in Spanish; and by forcing the regional government employees to have a high-level knowledge of Valencian. However, in other regions, such as Catalonia, the Catalan is the most spoken language, even among young people. The reason for that is that people from Catalonia have always been quite nationalists defending their own language and history. There, what isn’t common is to hear somebody talking in Spanish! Of course, catalan people do understand Spanish, and have learned Spanish for years. But, for them, Spanish is a second language, like could be English.
There’re also many regional TV channels, and regional radio programs. You can find regional newspapers written in Valencià, magazines and plenty of books which have been translated into Valencià, or written originally in it.
In my case, there’s also no particular quote that I live by, I just try to be happy, look for my own way, and enjoy every simple thing in life. I cannot remember right now any film that has particularly marked me, though I’m a staunch supporter of Woody Allen, Tarantino and Hitchcock, among others. I go to the cinema every weekend to watch any film that seems to be interesting. I don’t like silly films. The more a film is commercial, the more it’s silly and foreseeable. You know, for example those nonsense comedies, the bloody films without makings or the typical boy meets girl film.
I also love reading all kind of novels, and I don’t have any favourite writer. One of the last novels I’ve read is The Da Vinci Code….yes, it’s a long time after its first publication, but I like choosing what novel to read next by friend recommendation, by the word of mouth. That’s why I’d appreciate it if you help me to choose a good one. This Christmas I’ll give me a pair of books as a self-gift!
Jonathan, Yes. I meant that I was a temporary worker. During my summer holidays I used to work to give me some whim. It helped me, moreover, to learn the price of the money.
Again, thanks a lot, everyone, for all your support, comments and suggestions ….......I’m still ‘cooking’ the Paella recipe ;)
That’s all for now!
Love,
Silvia
Comments
Good night Silvia! Hmm... we have similar taste for films. I really like Wood Allen and my favourite of his films is The Purple Rose of Cairo, have you seen it? I also liked Match Point, because in the plot Crime and Punishment by Dostoievsky is mentioned. Dostoievsky is one of my favourite writers. Besides, I love Hitch. I collect his films and they are all great. Recently my cousin has lent me The Da Vinci Code. I´ve watched the film and I didn´t like. Maybe it was because I could only pain attention to Tom Hanks new hair style and Audrey Tauttou... oh for me she´ll be always Amélie Poulain :-). Anyaway, many people who have read the book say that it´s really good indeed. Let´s see. And you Silvia? Did you like the book? Well, have nice dreams. See you soon, Ana Paula. PS-I´m looking forward to reading your Paella recipe, Yum ! ;-)
Hi Silvia, you are absolutely right, it was easier for me to learn French because of my Catalan. I like reading very much but I’m not sure our tastes match.. I have read a lot from the following writers : T.Clancy, R.Cook, R.Ludlum, P.Cornwell, M.Crichton, M.Connelly, K.Follett, P.Robinson, J.Grisham, H.Troyat, E.Georges, etc. I can therefore recommend you : “The pillars of the Earth” from Ken Follett or the “Earth’s Children series” from Jean M. Auel : “The Clan of the Cave Bear” and so on (six books) following the journey Ayla makes to find her own people : the Cro-Magnon.
Hello Silvia, it is good to know that you are also a supporter of the movies that make sense to the viewers. I aslo don't like movies that end up with violence and bloodshed, the ones that are too commercialised and a typical love srory in which a boy meets a girl and falls in love with. However, I like the comedy movies of Jerry Lewis and Norman Wisdom, and if you compare them with the present day comedy movies then I'm sure you will find them a lot better than today's ones. Can I make a little correction to one of your sentences, I hope you won't mind. You wrote' This Christmas I’ll give me a pair of books as a self-gift!' instead of 'me' you can write 'myself'. Just one more thing I would like to give you as a compliment that you have got the looks of models. Best Wishes, Naheed
Hello Silvia, it is good to know that you are also a supporter of the movies that make sense to the viewers. I aslo don't like movies that end up with violence and bloodshed, the ones that are too commercialised and a typical love srory in which a boy meets a girl and falls in love with. However, I like the comedy movies of Jerry Lewis and Norman Wisdom, and if you compare them with the present day comedy movies then I'm sure you will find them a lot better than today's ones. Can I make a little correction to one of your sentences, I hope you won't mind. You wrote' This Christmas I’ll give me a pair of books as a self-gift!' instead of 'me' you can write 'myself'. Just one more thing I would like to give you as a compliment that you have got the looks of models. Best Wishes, Naheed
Silvia, did you enjoy The Da Vinci Code? I was introduced to the book a couple of years ago while I was in Stratford-upon-Avon doing English studies. I personally thought at the time that the book was a bit naïve. Good and harmless reading thought and a very good as an exercise to improve the English fluency. I am looking forward to hear your paella recipe.
Hi Silvia, it is rather disheartening to have learnt that the three languages (Spanish, Valencian, Catalan) are so different that the Catalan people regard Spanish as a second language, like English is for most of us. It is disheartening because people (like me) spend ages to learn Spanish only to end up understanding nothing when they come to Spain. As you, I don't have a quote I live by. But I do like these ones: «You need somebody to love you, while you are searching for somebody to love» (I know, it sounds rather egoistic, arrogant and smug, but, you must agree, it is nice to have a couple of admirers while trying to find your Prince) and «Everything is done for the best» (sometimes it is very hard to believe it, isn't it?). Sincerely, Ana P.S. It is a coincidence, but I have read The Da Vinci Code recently, too.
Hello again Silvia. It was very interesting your explanation about the valentian language. In this era of globalization I believe is very important to protect our cultural identity. Have a good day.
Dear Silvia, It is very interesting learn history of Elcha in your post on 4th December. Christmas tradition is new to me because there are only few Christian in Nepal. Right now, I have few Christian friends and they are out of touch and I’m in completely in dark side about Christian culture. At Christmas day, office is decorated for Christmas with Christmas tree and colourful papers and some balloons. Christmas cake is served to all staff and guest but I do not know whether it is Christmas cake or ordinary cake. As you discussed about your regional language, I am able to know some basic ideas. Before reading your post, I don’t know about this language. The relationship of both languages with French language is interesting. Photographs posted in your blogs are very nice
Wow, awesome blogging there! I read all your posts in a row; just couldn't stop when once get started. I haven't been active here for a while but lately i've had a feeling that some re-activation of my English skills would be in order. So it's been a while since the last time i wrote something in this lingua franca, so it might be a bit of a tricky thing to get the hang of my train of thought. But hopefully you give yourself a try. Actually i'm bit of a Spain-fan myself. Been there six times in the last five years, but unfortunately not yet visited Elche or the nearby region. Based on your photos, it looks nice in there as well. I've only visited the bigger cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga etc.) in your beautiful country, and Ibiza as well yet and it's been quite much not-so-typically-Spanish-type-of-things going on there. I know, it's always the same in bigger cities with a lot of tourists and all that. Just trying to say that even though i've visited Spain quite a many times, i don't know too much about the cultural traditions, typical dishes or about the different languages of your country. Hence it's nice to read your blog-texts about all those things. So i’m really looking forward your next post. You already know something about Finland then? My hometown Helsinki is pretty international nowadays and maybe i have courage to say a bit trendy as well with all these cool little shops and classy cafés, bars, clubs and so on. So it's really worth visiting, especially during the summer-months. Right now it’s pretty dark and rainy. Hopefully we get some snow for Christmas. But maybe you've heard all that and slightly more from your Finnish friend (or maybe he likes different things than i do)? Anyways, back soon… Take care there.
Hello Silvia, it sounds very difficult, the differences between Catalan, Valencian and Spanish and I agree with Anastasia, that it must be very disappointing, when you have learned Spanish and don't understand anything, depending on the area you stay. I will recomment you a very good book,written by Yann Martel and it is named: "Schiffbruch mit Tiger", in English I think: " Shipwreck with a tiger". It's about a sixteen year old boy, who survives a shipwreck in a lifeboat, together with a Hyäne, an Orang Utan, a hurt Zebra and a Tiger. This is the beginning of a hair-raising story.You have to read it. Do you heard the dialect in Cologne, called " Kölsch"? It is like a second language, but it's only a dialect. See you soon...
Congratulations, Silvia. Your historical exposition about the origin and development of valencian language is very correct besides of clear. It's very good in the appoiment of the top writers group of XV century (yours gold century). Congratulations also for your job's orientation and proyection. I'm sure of your success.Courage¡ The world is expecting for you¡ Excuse me for the bad composition, but I had that for first time in my life (66 years old and only 3 months studying english on my own.)Bye, bye.
Hi Silvia, it’s a great knowledgeable blog, I leant a lot, thank you. It also reminds me to know more about language of Spain. Language is one part of the Culture, that I have ignored the language when I try to learn other country. After surfing couple of websites, I have learnt that the English word ” barracks ” derives from the Valencian word “barraca”. See you, and take care
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