The situation of the Portuguese minority language in Spain�

�Kovács Írisz�PhD student�SZTE�2024

A kutatás a Kulturális és Innovációs Minisztérium Egyetemi Kutatói Ösztöndíj Programjának a Nemzeti Kutatási, Fejlesztési és Innovációs Alapból finanszírozott szakmai támogatásával készült

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The subject of the study

• The topic highlights the rich multilingual and multicultural fabric of Spain, which includes not only regional languages like Catalan and Basque but also minority languages like Portuguese, often overlooked in broader discussions
• About half of Spain's population live in areas where they use their own language and can make local laws. The country therefore provides an important example for the study of language conflicts and political systems
• Analyzing this issue within the context of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages provides insight into how international frameworks influence and protect minority languages in a multilingual state

Research questions

1. What is the situation of the Portuguese minority language in Spain?
2. How can regional and national language policies be improved to support language revitalization?

Spain's language policy

• Spanish Constitution: recognises Castilian Spanish as official language (Article 3)
• Gives other autonomous communities the possibility to recognise their own language as an official language in their territory
• International aspect: Spain ratified the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in 2001

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The situation of Portuguese language in Spain

• Portuguese doesn't have an official status
• But: it is recognized as a minority language
• Portuguese is mainly spoken in Castile and Leon, Galicia and Extremadura

Castile and León

• In the 2019 report of the Expert Committee, it is stated that Portuguese has had traditional presence in Castile and León.
• However, as the Committee of Experts did not receive any information on the use nor on the protection of the language, it is not in a position to conclude on its present situation. Due to this lack of information, the Committee of Experts is not in a position to evaluate this language in tabular form at this stage

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Castile and León

• In the following report, the Castile and León Autonomous Community Government has provided information on the actions taken in recent years regarding the Portuguese language
• Library initiatives: Libraries in Salamanca and Zamora are the most active in promoting the Portuguese language, largely due to their proximity to the Portuguese border
• The "Casa de las Conchas" municipal library in Salamanca has been actively contributing to the promotion of Portuguese for many years
• In the province of Zamora, the promotion of the Portuguese language has been a habitual activity for several years now
• the latest ECRML report does not address the presence of the portuguese language in Castile and León, only in Extremadura

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Extremadura

• Portuguese in administration: Not used in local or regional administration; bilingual signs and official documents are only in Castilian
• Courses for civil servants: Portuguese language courses are available for civil servants in the Junta
• Media presence: While articles about Portuguese culture appear, the language is absent from media outlets, including Olivenza's local TV
• Awareness efforts: Speakers advocate for more awareness campaigns about Portuguese, especially Oliventine Portuguese, in regional and local media
• Cultural activities: Olivenza organizes cultural activities and campaigns to promote Oliventine Portuguese in social and economic life
• Financial support: These initiatives receive minimal funding from the Extremadura regional authorities

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Extremadura

• Local Efforts: Preservation and promotion occur at the local level, but more national and regional support is needed, particularly in integrating Extremadura's Portuguese varieties into education
• Public Life: Portuguese use is increasing but requires further development in education, administration, media, and cultural activities (7.1.d).
• Community and Culture: Strong ties exist among Portuguese speakers, supporting cultural activities (7.1.e).
• Education: There are 30 000 students studying Portuguese in Extremadura
• This autonomous community has the highest number of Portuguese students in Spain
• Adult education courses are available
• Cooperation: Agreements between Extremadura and Portugal encourage linguistic and cultural exchanges, particularly in education
• Media Perception: Media promotes a positive view of Portuguese speakers
• Challenges:
• Lack of recognition for Oliventine Portuguese as a cultural asset
• No advisory body for Portuguese language issues

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Recommendations of the Expert Committee for immediate action

• Take decisive action to protect and revitalise the Portuguese language in Extremadura, particularly in the field of education
• The Portuguese language is in a very fragile situation in Extremadura; therefore, the Committee of Experts calls on the authorities to take urgent action to protect the Portuguese language, in cooperation with the speakers

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Galicia

• The Galician region actively promotes the use of Galician and Portuguese languages, strengthening links with the Luzophone world and the cultural and economic role of the language
• Through educational programmes, cultural events and economic initiatives, the language is promoted in education, business and international communication.
• The importance of the language in commercial cooperation with the Lusophone markets, particularly Portuguese-speaking countries such as Brazil and Angola, is emphasised.

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Galicia

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• Agreements with the Camões Institute
• The entry of the Consello da Cultura Gallega as a Consultative Observer in the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries.
• Ongoing collaboration with the Convergência Portugal-Galicia cultural week since its first edition in 2015
• In July 2021, during the Luanda Summit, the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries approved Spain’s admission as an Associate Observer State

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Conclusions

• The Portuguese language in Spain, while not officially recognized, holds an important place as a minority language, especially in regions such as Castile and León, Extremadura, and Galicia
• Efforts at the local level, particularly in the provinces of Salamanca and Zamora, have contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of Portuguese, especially in cultural and educational spheres
• However, these efforts face challenges, including a lack of sufficient support from regional and national authorities, limited financial resources, and the absence of formal recognition for regional varieties like Oliventine Portuguese
• While cooperation agreements with Portugal and other Lusophone countries have encouraged cultural exchanges, there is still a need for decisive action to protect and revitalize the language, particularly in the field of education and public administration

Suggestions for improving policies

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• Increased government funding and support: The Spanish government, both at the national and regional levels, should allocate more financial resources to the promotion of Portuguese, particularly in regions like Extremadura and Castile and León. This includes supporting language courses, media initiatives, and cultural events.
• Formal recognition and language rights: This could involve legal reforms to give the language more visibility and protection.
• Integration into education: Portuguese should be more systematically integrated into school curricula, with a focus on bilingual education and the teaching of regional language varieties. Additionally, the creation of a specialized body to oversee the teaching of Portuguese in schools and universities could ensure that the language receives adequate attention.
• Media and public awareness campaigns: Efforts to raise public awareness about Portuguese, especially in regions with Portuguese-speaking communities, should be enhanced. This includes increasing Portuguese-language content in local media, particularly in regional TV and radio stations.
• Strengthening cross-border cooperation: Strengthening collaboration with Portugal through cultural, educational, and economic exchanges will continue to play a crucial role in the promotion of the Portuguese language. Spain could seek more active involvement in international organizations that advocate for the protection of minority languages.

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Thank you for your attention!