This document discusses language policy and use in higher education in Catalonia over time. It describes how Catalan language normalization shifted to embracing multilingualism. Specifically: - Historically, universities emphasized Catalan as the own language and promoted its normalization through preferential use. - Growing internationalization, competition, and a new European context prompted reorienting approaches to recognize English and diversifying visions. - Universities now view multilingualism as an opportunity and promote English, third languages, and linguistic skills in Catalan and Spanish to better serve students and internationalization.

1. Language policy in Higher Education in Catalonia: from Catalan ‘normalització lingüística’ to multilingualism EUNoM Seminar. Linguamón – UOC Chair in Multilingualism Barcelona, 7-8 September, 2009 Marta Estella Language Service Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

4. Languages in Catalonia A multilingual society 250-300 languages spoken Two widespread languages Catalan and Spanish The role of English as a lingua franca

6. Legal framework I I Statute of Autonomy (2006)‏ 1. Catalonia’s own language is Catalan. As such, Catalan is the language of normal and preferential use in Public Administration bodies and in the public media of Catalonia, and is also the language of normal use for teaching and learning in the education system. 2. Catalan is the official language of Catalonia, together with Castilian, the official language of the Spanish State. All persons have the right to use the two official languages and citizens of Catalonia have the right and the duty to know them

9. Language uses in teaching

12. “ The Rectory of Barcelona University wishes for the Catalan language to be the natural language for communication , expression and work at all universities without exception, but respecting the individual right to express oneself in either of the two languages stipulated by the Constitution”. “ The UB’s plan foresees that within a period of 10 years full normalisation of the language can be achieved”. Pla de normalització lingüística de la UB (1989)

14. “… defining a horizon for ‘normalitat lingüística’ that guarantees the habitual use of the Catalan language in administrative and academic areas, within the context of increasing multilingualism at the University”. Conclusions of the VI Trobada de Serveis Lingüístics universitaris (1994)

17. The European context II The Commission’s multilingualism policy has three aims: • to encourage language learning and promoting linguistic diversity in society; • to promote a healthy multilingual economy, and • to give citizens access to European Union legislation, procedures and information in their own languages. [...] Higher education institutions could play a more active role in promoting multilingualism amongst students and staff, but also in the wider local community. It needs to be recognised that the trend in non-English-speaking countries towards teaching through the medium of English, instead of through the national or regional language, may have unforeseen consequences for the vitality of those languages. The Commission intends to study this phenomenon in more detail shortly. A New Framework Strategy for Multilingualism

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