Why is Catalan special?
Catalan has roots in Vulgar Latin, not unlike many other languages spoken today. History tells us that the Catalan language first appeared during the 10th century. Catalan developed from Vulgar Latin on both sides of the eastern Pyrenees Mountains, a range of mountains in southwest Europe that form a natural border between France and Spain. Conquests in the 13th century brought Catalan to regions of what is now southern Spain; including Barcelona and Valencia. Catalan suffered several periods of prohibition and repression in the 18th century and use of the language was banned for many years during different political struggles. A period of economic, cultural and national renaissance began during the 19th century and Catalan became the “language of literary culture”. The language was then standardized by the publication of spelling rules and grammar in the early 20th century. The use of Catalan was once again banned during the Spanish Civil War and did not return until democracy was res
