Language & Emigration to Spain

When immigrating to Spain, You will often end up in one of the "Autonomous communities." Much of these have their own language. In fact currently central government is in effort to protect Castilian as a central language, because the autonomous communities have adopted a new standard where their local or won language is the one to be used. Castilian is subordinate to it.

This holds for the communities like: Catalonia, The Basque Country, Valencia or Galicia.

One reason why people may choose not to migrate to either of these autonomous communities is just that: language. When moving there you have to learn Castilian and the local language, like Catalan in Catalonia.

Castilian is not a problem for many foreigners. It is like an investment. There are people who learn and speak Russian or Chinese which skill makes them profitable for their international profession.
A more provincial language like Euskara (which is spoken in the Basque country) or Catalonian doesn't offer you any benefits outside Spain.

A more important reason not to migrate to these communities is the generation effect. Think about having children. In Catalonia children will be obliged to learn the local language and only Castilian "the original Spanish language" as a second language. When you are raising your kids as a foreigner in such a community, your children will speak a language you will never understand.

Think about it.

The way you think about the future may influence you decision to migrate to such a region or not; if you think you new home only as a transition or as a permanent settlement. How much do you feel attached to the region is one of the questions.

H.J.B.

Related : The Landscape Lighting Book