Catalan Literary Translation and the Need to Prioritize Minority Languages

Founded in 1713, the RAE has dedicated itself to stabilizing and standardizing the use of the Spanish language using a largely prescriptivist approach. That is, they provide information on how to write and speak Spanish — if you ever have a debate on what the right word is or the most correct way of structuring a phrase, they have the final say. The RAE’s influence on Spanish speakers’ linguistic sensibilities is also apparent; there are certain features the average Spanish reader will find grating. The silver lining here is that assessing the quality of translation into Spanish is now remarkably easy, or at least relatively easy as compared to languages following a more descriptivist, flexible linguistic model.

Naturally, the Institute of Catalan Studies (or Institut d’Estudis Catalans) functions similarly — though it stresses a secondary function of serving as a cultural reference, as well. Ultimately, they too set the norms for the use of the language. However, a quick navigation through their website shows a markedly different tone than that of the RAE. There is more mention of representing all Catalan users of every variety, including Valencian. They highlight the following quote from the president of the institute, Teresa Cabré: “If we really want there to be a model that is global and allows the linguistic cohesion of all regions, the model cannot be limited to academic norms, much less if it is focused on the norms of a few regions; it must expand with the varieties.”

This distinction in the overall intention of these influential institutions begs the question, “Do Catalan speakers judge works in Catalan the way Spanish speakers do works in Spanish?” In other words, are the tastes of individuals who view Catalan as their mother tongue different from those who consider their mother tongue Spanish? And furthermore, how does this apply to literary translation quality in Catalonia and greater Spain?

Historically, there have been initiatives to position Castilian Spanish as the only national language of Spain. This was not made clearer than by the series of strict language policies imposed during the Franco Regime following the Spanish Civil War from 1939-1975. During this period, the use of newly “minoritized” languages — including Catalan, Galician, and Basque — were strictly prohibited and prosecutable. To give a sense of the tension, typical public signage displayed during this period read, “Don’t bark, speak the language of the Empire.” I’ve heard stories of people being physically assaulted by law enforcement for speaking Catalan in public.

Despite much of these language policies and practices being reversed in later years, language ideologies — the cultural beliefs associated with the treatment and status of languages — informed by these policies persist. Those coming of age under the regime had no academic or standardized exposure to Catalan, in contrast to today’s youth, who now take it as a required subject in school.