In Ensenyar la llengua, Solà is talking about something other than grammar. He has collected a wide range of writings, from lectures to articles, some in Catalan to others in Spanish. However, the aim is the same in each and every one of the pages: to address aspects related to the linguistic, social and political situation of the Catalan language. In this sense, the author has compiled the writings of the book between 1991 and 2003.

And in any case, the optimism is greater in the first works than in the last ones. For example, the author traces the dramatic state of the language in the final sections. The author is aware of this and has no concerns that anyone will take him into account. “You have to be responsible for the diagnosis you make, as well as the actions that come as a result of it: while my responsibility is to know this millenary reality of daily life and to communicate it not only to my neighbors, but also to external stakeholders.”

The subtle crushing

In his analysis of the linguistic situation in Spain, Solà recalls the regime of the dictator Franco, saying that he often imposed the ideology “one state, one nation, one language” by force. “Languages other than Spanish were persecuted, and the strength of the language – both hourly and seasonal – the greater it was, the greater the persecution itself. I think it is no exaggeration to say that the Catalan was in the first place and, as a result, was the victim of a much more subtle oppression. Even today [the text is written in 1994], it is in the first place and, if it is narrowed down, I would say that is why there are more and more political impediments to its progress.”

The book has more than two hundred pages and is complete to read. There are many cases, but only one cause: the normalization of the Catalan language. Even the cases, a machine is worth considering. For example, on November 8, 1994, the Royal Spanish Academy sent a letter to the President of the Government, Felipe González. They urged him to take specific protective measures for the Spanish language in the communities where some minority languages are spoken. Solà says that the attack on the Academy came as a result of the agreement between the CIU and the PSOE a year earlier. “The inclusion of an institution such as the Academy in this type of dirty game caused a flood of documents: various types of writings, official, institutional and private, were published against the institution that we have just mentioned. Well, one detail, but not secondary, but first and foremost, (...) with a flurry of documents, the academics were not aware of the extent of their letter, let alone admitted the wrong thing. So it’s two mental (and emotional) worlds that are irreparable.” In order

to bring to light the complicated situation of the Catalan language, Solà works on various aspects. Those who, in the word and in the tooth, and for whatever reason, have the tyranny of insisting on the limit established by the Spanish Constitution, have something and where to read in the teacher’s lines: “The Spanish Constitution makes a brief reference to languages other than Spanish (...) as ‘cultural heritage with specific protection and respect’, but there is no general law that corresponds to them, which often leads to conflicts that are difficult to resolve: for example, when the army, the judiciary, the media and the means of transport are involved.” In another passage we will read Solà’s opinion: “In this world, no one wants to save anyone else, but the other way around – in spite of these white words that we humans do, that is, despite the courtesy.” This is, then, as pure as the clean water of the fountain, Solà’s attitude opinions.

The need for a new speech

Joan Solà knows that she is crying, that she could be exhausted. Those responsible for the Basque Autonomous Community’s Vice-Ministry of Language Policy have also attributed this to many social actors, who are constantly crying. They have been asked for other messages to change their discourse... Joan Solà has also become aware of this danger. You know that. “I wonder if grievances can open the way to hope: the law of life is to dissolve the smallest, and our grievances are the result of that instinct of life. If we Catalan speakers want to survive, we will have to defend ourselves more effectively. I don’t know how, but we’ll have to find a way (...) A different system of values, we need to form a new symbology that will unite us in the future. At the moment, we only have the classic values of solidarity,

freedom, equality.” Looking in the mirror, what should we do? How to protect yourself, how to act not only by touching the cry...