December 19, 2011

I don't want to provoke but .... Barcelona isn't the problem. The problem is Catalunya. Let me explain. In a recent study by the ESADE Brand Institute, the 'brand' of 'Barcelona' has become "internationally consolidated as a cultural tourism capital and presents itself as a centre for innovation". This was one of the conclusions of 'Barcelona a ojos del mundo' ('Barcelona under a global gaze'), for which 2,741 interviews with citizens of nine countries and 27 interviews with opinion leaders were held. Barcelona, apparently, is a "Spanish city" (don't forget that bit), that is "highlighted for football (26 percent), for having held the Olympics (14 percent) and for its cultural heritage (9 percent)". Better still, Barcelona is considered as the most attractive city to live in—out of all the countries consulted—ahead of London, Berlin and Madrid. The Europeans (89 percent) and the Latin Americans (93 percent) are those that consider it the most attractive.

The trouble with language... why not just make up a new one?

However, during the ESADE Brand Institute's Annual Conference, a second study was also presented: 'Posicionamiento estrategico de la marca Catalunya' ('Strategic positioning for the brand Catalunya'). This highlighted the fact that Catalunya still did not have the same relevance on an international scale, nor such a well defined 'brand'. Worse still, only 4.2 percent of those interviewed related Barcelona with Catalunya. Indeed, 39 percent of those interviewed in the United States associated Barcelona with ...wait for it...Spain!

So why keep plugging Catalunya and Catalan? If it hasn't caught on internationally by now, the chances are that it never will. Why not change the language to Barcelonish? Simple, if you think about it. I'm not suggesting a NEW language, just re-branding. Instead of speaking Catalan, speak Barcelonish. Same verbs, same vocabulary as Catalan, but a new brand. Better still if it was 'FC Barcelonish', as in "Finished with Catalan let's speak Barcelonish". Millions of supporters worldwide would start to speak it...

Tag Topics: Barcelona blogs, Life in Barcelona, Tim Parfitt

December 19, 2011

Latest Comments

Life in Barcelona

Wow. I know this is written quite tongue in cheek but this shows the sheer and utter ignorance and lack of understanding for the Catalan culture and history.... I´m tired of all of us expats criticizing the Catalans and the language...Let it go already.

Posted by cat December 26, 2011 15:01:43
Don´t provoke

A new round, please, I´m dry!

Posted by Josep December 26, 2011 10:23:13