Catalan Independence

Catalan Independence

Two of my main media sources on the Catalan independence process are the daily newspapers Ara and La Vanguardia. Both of these publications have online versions which I recommend. By way of example, a recent article in the “Debate” section of the former, by the economist Miquel Puig and titled “República i Repúblicans” (Ara 4.xi.2017, p. 33) suggests that “the Process” in Catalonia “has three enemies: impatience, violence, and disunity.” Process in this context, as most readers know, refers to the negotiations necessary to achieve Catalonia’s statehood. Note that independence is looked on here as process, that is, something not immediate, something already implying a good deal of patience and unity. However it is important to address that third “enemy,”  violence, for a good deal of ink flows daily in attempts to counter the fact that Catalan self-determination is (and has been for some thirty of forty years) a peaceful endeavor. An important reminder of this is the repeated affirmations by Catalan leaders regarding the common bonds between the different regions of the Spanish State and beyond. Given the amount of history involved, of course, it would take a good deal of space to explain these things in depth. The main point is that in addition to the historical ties to Spain, there are also—no surprise here—global bonds. Happily Wikipedia and Socialmedia (if I may write it like that) offer the interested reader ample takes on much of this history, both long past and very recent. Additionally “Linguistic sustainability for a multi-lingual humanity,” a paper by Albert Bastardas-Boada of the U. of Barcelona, may help understand wider contexts. Citing from the paper, “Just as sustainable development does not negate the development and the desire for material improvement of human societies but at one and the same time wants to maintain ecosystemic balance with nature, so linguistic sustainability accepts polyglottisation and intercommunication among groups and persons yet still calls for the continuity and full development of human linguistic groups.” And yes there is of course entanglement with well-known arguments on social engagement and poetry. I think these articles well worth the time. Professor Bastardas-Boadas’ bibliography is also good regarding further reading. The link: /https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236214159_Linguistic_Sustainability_for_a_Multilingual_Humanity/