Data collected by the Latin Union, engaged to promote the cultural heritages of their 37 member states.

Data on Aranese:

Alternative names: Aranal, Aranés

Classification: Indo-European language family, Romance language, variation of Occitan

Area: Val d’Aran

Number of speakers: 5 000

Language status: Co-official language (alongside Catalan and Castilian)

Organic law 4/1979 on the Autonomy Statute of Catalonia:

Article 3:

“1. The language specific to Catalonia is Catalan.

2. Catalan is the official language of Catalonia, in addition to Castilian, which is the official language of the Spanish state.

3. The Generality will guarantee the standard and official usage of both languages. The Generality will do what is necessary to ensure its transmission, and will create conditions that secure absolute equality [between the two languages], in the realm of the rights and responsibilities of the citizens of Catalonia

4. The spoken language of the Val d’Aran will be taught, and will receive respect and special protection.”

Aranese became a co-official language in the Val d’Aran (alongside Catalan and Castilian), thanks to the law of 28 June 1990.

Article 2

“1. Aranese, a variation of the Occitan language of the Val d’Aran, is an official language of the Val d’Aran. Catalan and Castilian are equally official languages, in accordance with Article 3 of the Autonomy Statute of Catalonia.

2. In relation to article 3.4 of the Autonomy Statute of Catalonia, Aranese must be taught, and must receive respect and special protection. Its usage in the educational system as well as in the activities of Catalonian Generality’s administration must be guaranteed. […]

3. The Generality and the institutions of Aran must take the necessary measures to guarantee the transmission and usage of standard Aranese, and must standardize the language whenever and wherever possible.

4. The Generality and all Aranese institutions must ensure the preservation, the development and the diffusion of Aranese culture.”

Vitality & transmission:

Aranese is used on a daily basis in the Val d’Aran. It is generally viewed in a positive light, despite being overshadowed by Spanish or Catalan, which are often considered to be more important languages.

Media:

Aran Nau (free journal, 40% of which is written in Aranese – 3 000 copies)

Catalunya Radio (broadcasts 7 hours of Aranese per week)

Meddia Aranés (local branch of Catalunya Informació, broadcasts 1 hour per day in Aranese)

Canal TV3 (television channel that broadcasts a 10 minute summary of the news in Aranese, once a week)

Education:

Kindergarten, elementary school and secondary school.

Historical observations:

After the Arab occupation, the Val d’Aran is incorporated into the Occitan County of Comminges.

1220: The Val d’Aran is integrated into the Kingdom of Catalonia and Aragon. 13^th century texts contain evidence of a Gascon-Aranese script.

1313: Jacques II, King of Catalonia, recognises the special status of the Val d’Aran.

1834: The Val d’Aran is incorporated into the Lleida province, and the Aranese government (the Conselh Generau) is dissolved.

1867-1919: Literary works by Mossen Condo Sambeat.

1983: Law for the linguistic standardization of Catalonia, which recognizes the public usage of Aranese.

1990: Thanks to the Autonomy Statute of Catalonia, Aranese receives official language status in the Val d’Aran.

1998: Law for the preservation of Aranese.

Sources & additional bibliography:

CLIMENT, Teresa (1986), Realitat lingüística a la Val d’Aran, Barcelona, Generalitat de Catalunya.
LAGARDE, Christian (1986), “Multilinguisme e ensenhament en Val d’Aran”, in Lengas, 19.
VIAULT, Alain (1987), L’occitan gascon en Catalogne espagnole. Du vernaculaire au formel, Bordeaux, Maison des Sciences de l’Homme de l’Aquitaine.
WALTER, Henriette (1994), L’aventure des langues en Occident, Laffont.

Conselh Generau d’Aran