Is Catalan a dialect of Spanish?

Castellano, español — and the word to avoid

Castellano and español are two names for the same language. The Constitution says castellano, and in the bilingual regions people often prefer it, because it leaves room for the other Spanish languages; across most of the Spanish-speaking world español is more usual. Both are correct.

What is not correct is calling Catalan, Galician or Basque a dialect. Catalan and Galician grew out of Latin separately from Castilian — they are its sisters, not its daughters — and Basque is not related to it at all. Say it in Barcelona or Bilbao and you will annoy people, and be wrong.

In these regions official signs are usually in two languages, many young people have spoken both since they were small, and a conversation can switch language in the middle of a sentence.

• Castellano and español are two names for the same language; the Constitution says castellano, and in bilingual regions people often prefer it.
• Calling Catalan, Galician or Basque a dialect annoys a lot of people, and it is wrong: Catalan and Galician descend from Latin independently of Castilian, and Basque is unrelated.
• In Catalonia's schools the normal language of lessons is Catalan; Castilian is taught too, and how many hours go to each is an old dispute that keeps returning to the courts.

Castellano y español son dos nombres para la misma lengua.

Castellano and español are two names for the same language.

Llamar dialecto al catalán, al gallego o al euskera molesta a mucha gente.

Calling Catalan, Galician or Basque a dialect annoys a lot of people.

En las calles de Barcelona se oyen las dos lenguas, a veces en la misma frase.

In the streets of Barcelona both languages are heard, sometimes in the same sentence.