Will to resist. And the language
Jordi Pujol
Editorial / July 13, 2010
There has been of late a range of commentaries and interpretations related to the ruling by the Constitutional Court on the Statute for Autonomy. This editorial will not list them. Because rather than a text for specialists, this editorial seeks to define, beyond sophistry, what it represents for Catalonia. And this we do by way of two short and concise and technical arguments by Professor of Constitutional Law John Vintró of the University of Barcelona (La Vanguardia, 11 July 2010 page 27).
There are similar texts, but this one is particularly to the point. He remarks that the theoretically interpretative parts of the ruling on certain articles really leave the precept in question void of content”.
He adds "the Statute is largely invalidated as the legal instrument for greater self-government. Hence the article’s title “A step back.”
From this reasoning, along with the current political climate in Spain, we can – sadly and without much mistaking — conclude that we are entering a phase of intense pressure on and against Catalonia. Across-the-board pressure that impacts on funding, devolved powers and the language
Catalonia’s initial response with the July 10 demonstration was strong. I repeat, strong. But other actions of a clearly political nature will have to follow. Both here and in Madrid. The Catalan project will have to be redefined. Now the former project – based on mutual understanding and a fruitful coexistence within Spain — that the nationalist majority, and indeed Catalonia as a whole, defended during the sixties and especially from the Transition has failed what direction should Catalonia now take?
These editorials have long raised this question. A question at an uncertain time. Less uncertain now than before the July 10 rally, but still not wholly defined. Though at least we know one thing for sure: Catalonia must have one basic element: the will to resist.
Although resistance alone will not be enough because it will not move us forward, the "we shall not be moved” resistance and the defence of our identity together with coexistence and cohesion is fundamental. It involves various things. The first and foremost of these is our language. The Catalan language, which having been subjected to unrestrained and to subtle attacks, is the prime target of the prevailing Spanish mentality, thought and policy. Therefore, language is an essential element of resistance.
In this regard, we refer to a leading authority, Jaume Cabré, this year’s Premi d’Honor de les Lletres Catalanes, and currently the most internationally renowned Catalan writer (400,000 copies of Les veus del Pamano in its German-language translation). Reproduced below is part of the speech he gave during the award ceremony on 16 June 2010.
He begins as a writer: “Writing is an affair of the soul. Therefore, the writer’s homeland is his language”. He then speaks in more general terms. “Ensuring the survival of the language for me is a good reason to work for the country's political independence. This does not guarantee its survival either, but it helps. I know I'm not alone in this desire. Besides political, social and historical dignity, I want a language that does not have to swim against the current to survive. I want it to live in peace and in the same conditions as languages that have their own states, which defend and feed them and enhance their prestige. I want a language that needs not seek permission or forgiveness for the mere fact of existing; I don’t want the few and timorous laws that protect it to be argued over; I want its speakers to live without the complexes that lead to self-hatred and the renouncement of their language to avoid annoying the neighbours, or worse, out of misunderstood good manners. I want my language to survive with health in this world of globalization and oneness and I don’t want to have to be constantly talking about this question”.
Whether the identity of Catalonia – and its language as an essential component – can be safeguarded solely through independence is a matter of debate. However, it is true that many more people today than before see things in these terms. And it is logical and fair. Because the boundary of fruitful and loyal coexistence has been crossed.
Cleary it is a time to do something about it, to resist. Especially in the area of language. With more commitment than ever. In talking, writing, schooling, and everything concerning the administration, in our right to conduct our affairs in Catalan. We will have to resist in many other areas. Because the aim of the current Spanish nationalist offensive is to lead Catalonia down a path that gradually -more hastily than slowly – will water-down our personality as a people. The question of language is one of the most decisive. Or the most decisive.
He adds "the Statute is largely invalidated as the legal instrument for greater self-government. Hence the article’s title “A step back.”
From this reasoning, along with the current political climate in Spain, we can – sadly and without much mistaking — conclude that we are entering a phase of intense pressure on and against Catalonia. Across-the-board pressure that impacts on funding, devolved powers and the language
Catalonia’s initial response with the July 10 demonstration was strong. I repeat, strong. But other actions of a clearly political nature will have to follow. Both here and in Madrid. The Catalan project will have to be redefined. Now the former project – based on mutual understanding and a fruitful coexistence within Spain — that the nationalist majority, and indeed Catalonia as a whole, defended during the sixties and especially from the Transition has failed what direction should Catalonia now take?
These editorials have long raised this question. A question at an uncertain time. Less uncertain now than before the July 10 rally, but still not wholly defined. Though at least we know one thing for sure: Catalonia must have one basic element: the will to resist.
Although resistance alone will not be enough because it will not move us forward, the "we shall not be moved” resistance and the defence of our identity together with coexistence and cohesion is fundamental. It involves various things. The first and foremost of these is our language. The Catalan language, which having been subjected to unrestrained and to subtle attacks, is the prime target of the prevailing Spanish mentality, thought and policy. Therefore, language is an essential element of resistance.
In this regard, we refer to a leading authority, Jaume Cabré, this year’s Premi d’Honor de les Lletres Catalanes, and currently the most internationally renowned Catalan writer (400,000 copies of Les veus del Pamano in its German-language translation). Reproduced below is part of the speech he gave during the award ceremony on 16 June 2010.
He begins as a writer: “Writing is an affair of the soul. Therefore, the writer’s homeland is his language”. He then speaks in more general terms. “Ensuring the survival of the language for me is a good reason to work for the country's political independence. This does not guarantee its survival either, but it helps. I know I'm not alone in this desire. Besides political, social and historical dignity, I want a language that does not have to swim against the current to survive. I want it to live in peace and in the same conditions as languages that have their own states, which defend and feed them and enhance their prestige. I want a language that needs not seek permission or forgiveness for the mere fact of existing; I don’t want the few and timorous laws that protect it to be argued over; I want its speakers to live without the complexes that lead to self-hatred and the renouncement of their language to avoid annoying the neighbours, or worse, out of misunderstood good manners. I want my language to survive with health in this world of globalization and oneness and I don’t want to have to be constantly talking about this question”.
Whether the identity of Catalonia – and its language as an essential component – can be safeguarded solely through independence is a matter of debate. However, it is true that many more people today than before see things in these terms. And it is logical and fair. Because the boundary of fruitful and loyal coexistence has been crossed.
Cleary it is a time to do something about it, to resist. Especially in the area of language. With more commitment than ever. In talking, writing, schooling, and everything concerning the administration, in our right to conduct our affairs in Catalan. We will have to resist in many other areas. Because the aim of the current Spanish nationalist offensive is to lead Catalonia down a path that gradually -more hastily than slowly – will water-down our personality as a people. The question of language is one of the most decisive. Or the most decisive.
