Chancen der Präsenz katalanischer Sprache, Kultur und Wirklichkeit in Deutschland

Abstract

The mutual reception of cultures is a very interesting chapter in the history of mankind. Regarding the perception of stateless nations by other nations, this perception depends on the public opinion that can be inclined towards Jacobinists’ uniformitarianism or towards the solidarity defense of cultural and national diversity. In Europe, the language map is still too closely linked to the map of the states. In an analogous way, the words Catalunya (Catalonia) or català (Catalan) remain frequently hidden under the words Spain or Spanish, which makes it difficult for Europeans to fully acknowledge the differential Catalan fact. It is true that in recent years the Catalan presence in Germany has increased considerably; but it is still very far from the level expected in a country that has the Catalan Countries as its first tourist destination. Catalans pose a difficult problem for foreigners to understand; they want to be considered as a people with their own identity, but they have not decided to lead a truly autonomous and independent social and political life.