This language, spoken in Barcelona, is closely related to the French Provençal dialect. The language was banned in 1939 by Spanish dictator Franco. However, due to a surge of nationalism after Franco's death, today it is one of the two official languages

Spoken in the vibrant city of Barcelona, this Romance language boasts a history as rich and complex as the region itself. It evolved from the Vulgar Latin used by the Romans and is a distinct language, not a dialect of Spanish. Its closest relative is actually Occitan, a language spoken in southern France, which includes the Provençal dialect. For a period in history, Catalan and Occitan were even considered by some to be dialects of the same language, highlighting their close linguistic ties.

The 20th century was a tumultuous time for the language. Following the Spanish Civil War, the dictator Francisco Franco came to power and sought to unify Spain under a single national identity. In 1939, his regime banned the public use of Catalan, removing it from schools, government, and the media. This period of suppression lasted for decades, relegating the language primarily to the private sphere of the home.

After Franco's death in 1975 and the restoration of democracy in Spain, a powerful wave of Catalan nationalism emerged. This cultural and political movement led to the revival of the language. Catalan was restored to its official status in Catalonia in 1979, alongside Spanish. Thanks to its reintroduction into the education system and public life, it is widely spoken today and stands as a testament to the region's resilient cultural identity.