Barcelona - Post Report Question and Answers
How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
A lot. Catalan people speak only Catalan among themselves. Spanish is spoken by everyone. Theaters show American movies dubbed into Castilian Spanish (this is some of a shock if you have been before to other Spanish speaking countries). There is a large English speaking community though. - Jul 2008
Well, are you referring to Catalan or Spanish? It depends on the area. Everything is written in Catalan from the street signs to the menus of many restaurants. Spaniards in general tend NOT to speak English though this is changing with the younger set. A basic knowledge of Spanish goes a long way though many of people I know survive without much of it. I must admit that I didn't feel the same language tensions that one can encounter in Quebec for instance since most if not all Catalans speak Spanish as well. - May 2008
