Catalan Habitual for Majority, But Language Shift Common

Over half of Manresa residents, 50.8%, use Catalan as their habitual language, significantly above the Catalan regional average of 32.6%, according to a municipal survey based on over 600 interviews. However, the study reveals that 54% of Catalan speakers switch to Spanish when addressed in that language, even if they began the conversation in Catalan.

“Then why on earth do we switch languages?”

The survey, presented by Manresa City Council on 15 September 2026, also found that 98.1% of residents understand Catalan, reinforcing the city’s commitment to maintaining it as the primary social language.

‘Never Switch’ Campaign to Promote Linguistic Confidence

In response, the Ajuntament de Manresa has launched the 'No canviïs mai' (Never Switch) campaign, aimed at encouraging residents to maintain Catalan in all interactions, particularly when speaking with others who may initially respond in Spanish.

Alcalde Marc Aloy stressed that switching languages out of politeness or assumption undermines the language’s vitality. “Maintaining Catalan is not just about communication, it’s about cohesion,” he said, calling for continued efforts to normalise its use.

Tània Infante, councillor for Culture and Language, explained that the campaign seeks to ensure citizens “do not automatically switch” and instead maintain Catalan “in all scenarios and contexts”.

Strong Social Use, But Challenges in Intergenerational and Institutional Settings

  • Catalan is used exclusively at home by 43.9% of residents.
  • Use increases to nearly 50% when communicating with children, indicating strong intergenerational transmission.
  • The language dominates in local administration, regional police (Mossos d’Esquadra), and banks, but usage declines in healthcare and state-level administrative services.
  • Two-thirds of conversations begin in Catalan, with 45.6% always starting in the language and another 20.4% doing so very frequently.

Marc Orriols, the city’s language advisor, identified the moment of response from the interlocutor as the critical point where language shift occurs. He noted that while some switch to Spanish to be courteous or accommodate newcomers, maintaining Catalan could instead support language learning and integration.

Citywide Strategy and Regional Recognition

The campaign is part of the Pla Estratègic per a la Llengua Catalana, which includes the creation of a citizens’ language mailbox, a participatory Taula per al Foment de l’Ús Social del Català, and awareness initiatives. The city’s approach has been recognised by the Generalitat, which cited Manresa as a reference in municipal language policy.

In June 2026, the Taula brought together 66 local agents, including educational, health, and cultural representatives, to diagnose challenges and recommend actions, including linguistic empowerment workshops and institutional leadership in language use.

The initiative aligns with the Generalitat’s broader strategy, including the Guia per a l'elaboració de plans locals d'impuls al català, presented in Manresa by Conseller Xavier Vila, which offers 40 actionable proposals for municipalities.

Primary sources: govern.cat, Generalitat de Catalunya. Departament de Política Lingüística, llengua.gencat.cat, serveisperemprendre.gencat.cat. Reported by premsa.manresa.cat, naciodigital.cat, Toni Mata i Riu, Regio7, regio7.cat, web.manresa.cat, plataforma-llengua.cat, manresa.cat, Regió 7, eb.manresa.cat, Racó Català.