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==Aranese Catalonia ==
:''According to their place of origin, it is significant to note that those born outside Spain outnumber Spaniards born outside Aran and Catalonia in the active use of Aranese (17% of non-Spaniards can write Aranese, while the percentage for Spaniards, excluding Catalans is 10%)''
 
Catalonia (Catalan: ''Catalunya'', Occitan: ''Catalonha'', Spanish:''Cataluña'') is a European country located in the western Mediterranean. Its legal status is the subject of a dispute between the Parliament of Catalonia, which on October 27, 2017 proclaimed the Catalan Republic, and the Kingdom of Spain, which considers it an autonomous community. It is located on the north-east coast of the Iberian Peninsula and borders the north with Andorra and France, to the west with Aragon, to the south with the Valencian Country and to the east with the Mediterranean Sea. Catalonia is the most extensive part of the historical and cultural territory of the Principality of Catalonia and the whole set of Catalan lands or the Catalan Countries. With an estimated 7,508,106 inhabitants in 2015, it groups 51.55% of the total population of the Catalan Countries. [[User:Montserrat-Alba|Montserrat-Alba]] ([[User talk:Montserrat-Alba#top|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Montserrat-Alba|contribs]]) 23:49, 22 May 2018 (UTC)</small>Autosigned by SineBot--
Who are those foreigners? French Gascons? -- [[User:Error|Error]] 00:05, 18 Oct 2004 (UTC)
 
This is the article that should be in the text introduction. NEUTRAL
:I have no idea, my guess is that they must be people who attend or have attended school in Aran, so they must be necessarily in the younger age groups. They could well be students from Luchon who go to school in Bossòst or Vielha, I know there are a number of them, but I ignore whether their number is significant, and in any case, the source I quote being a poll conducted by telephone, most likely they wouldn't have been included.
 
== Reverts==
 
:Personally, as someone writing from Australia so neither Catalan nor Spanish, I think that this is so much better than the Spanish nationalist intro the article currently has.
Can the user "Peter Wye" explain exactly why did he unconsideratily revert last night's changes without bothering to discuss any issues he might have in the Talk page first? If this happens again, I'll stick an NPOV banner on this page, as this page is in need of some serious work.
 
:I say change it! [[Special:Contributions/49.183.27.126|49.183.27.126]] ([[User talk:49.183.27.126|talk]]) 19:22, 29 July 2021 (UTC)
I have restored my version, and anyone wishing to improve it please leave your argumentations on this page first.
 
::Catalonia is an autonomous community, like any other, of Spain. No country or international organization considers Catalonia an independent country. Catalonia is an inalienable territory belonging to the Kingdom of Spain since the very formation of Spain as a nation-state.
::It is correct to mention the political problems or independence movements that exist in part of Catalan society and politics, but the article must be neutral and consistent with reality, and the reality is that Catalonia is a region of Spain. [[User:Venezia Friulano|Venezia Friulano]] ([[User talk:Venezia Friulano|talk]]) 09:58, 30 April 2022 (UTC)
 
== Map ==
'''From Peter Wye,'''
 
I've removed the alternative map from the infobox. There's zero need to treat Catalonia as if it were something special (it's not), let's stay neutral instead of appealing to separatists. [[User:Kbb2|Kbb2]] <small>(ex. Mr KEBAB)</small> ([[User talk:Kbb2#top|talk]]) 02:10, 17 July 2018 (UTC)
:''We've had this discussion before, please see above.''
 
{{re|Jacobí}} You can respond here instead of edit warring yourself. The way I see it, WP let the true edit warriors bully itself into treating Catalonia in a special manner in 2016. [[User:Kbb2|Kbb2]] <small>(ex. Mr KEBAB)</small> ([[User talk:Kbb2#top|talk]]) 12:17, 17 July 2018 (UTC)
I've read everything on this page.
:MR KEBAB, the "war map" of 2016 was something closed. The two maps were accepted and nobody removed them, except during the confusing period of October-December 2017. I didn't see why exactly you or the Spanish nationalist editors considered this map as "nationalist", but well. Anyway, it seems that virtually nobody was annoyed for the map for a long time, so we'll try to avoid another Byzantine debate about this issue. Regards, --[[User:Jacobí|Jacobí]] ([[User talk:Jacobí|talk]]) 12:24, 17 July 2018 (UTC)
::{{re|Jacobí}} That's what I'm talking about. The fact that they were accepted is evidence that it was done just to appeal to nationalists who wanted things to go their way or else. It's beyond absurd that we have two maps in the infobox and there's no need to show Catalonia as if it were a country. It's not - check Spanish law. [[User:Kbb2|Kbb2]] <small>(ex. Mr KEBAB)</small> ([[User talk:Kbb2#top|talk]]) 12:36, 17 July 2018 (UTC)
:::I honestly don't think it makes much of a difference either way, but I have basically no opinion on Spanish national/regional politics and no particular desire to get one any time soon. There is an argument to be had for consistency's sake. [[Andalusia]], [[Community of Madrid]], [[Galicia (Spain)]], and [[Balearic Islands]] all feature only the peninsular level, and not continent level maps. This seems in line with other regions, e.g., [[Bavaria]], [[Lombardy]], [[Normandy]]. While in comparison, [[Andorra]], [[Luxembourg]], and [[Wales]] all feature continent level maps only. [[User:GreenMeansGo|<span style="font-family:Impact"><span style="color:#07CB4B">G</span><span style="color:#449351">M</span><span style="color:#35683d">G</span></span>]][[User talk:GreenMeansGo#top|<sup style="color:#000;font-family:Impact">talk</sup>]] 12:47, 17 July 2018 (UTC)
::::{{re|Kbb2}} I'm abolutely agree about the Wikipedia's neutral point of view. And that's why I can't see the European map as a "nationalist" or, at least, more than the Spanish one. It's like if we consider the Scottish, Welsh, English or Flemish maps (all of them quasi-identical to the controversial Catalan) as nationalists, simply because it shows the ___location of this sub-national entities in the European context. I was agree with the map for the reason that it add useful information about the Catalan geopolitical context, if this is some kind of privilege, well, I'm not opposed to the idea to make the same for other autonomous communites. Best regards. --[[User:Jacobí|Jacobí]] ([[User talk:Jacobí|talk]]) 12:53, 17 July 2018 (UTC)
:::::{{re|GreenMeansGo}} Thats a point, Wales. If the criteria of Wikipedia is red -> sub-national, green -> independent, there's no reason to put Wales (or Scotland) as a green territory in Europe. So, what's exactly the criteria? It seeems a little confusing. If the information is neutral and useful, there's no reason to be strict in a flexible issue. --[[User:Jacobí|Jacobí]] ([[User talk:Jacobí|talk]]) 12:59, 17 July 2018 (UTC)
::::::{{ec}} Feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken, but as I believe Wales is technically a nation in a union of nations, and not a sub-national entity which is itself a constituent part of a nation. (I suppose at least temporarily, a nation, in a union of nations, in a [[EU|union of nations]].) Anyway, it doesn't look like we're totally consistent across articles. I notice [[Iraqi Kurdistan]] includes both regional and national maps. [[Somaliland]] includes only regional and no national map at all. But that may be comparing apples and oranges, where as I understand it, an antonymous region in the context of Spain is a particular, rather than a general political science term. [[User:GreenMeansGo|<span style="font-family:Impact"><span style="color:#07CB4B">G</span><span style="color:#449351">M</span><span style="color:#35683d">G</span></span>]][[User talk:GreenMeansGo#top|<sup style="color:#000;font-family:Impact">talk</sup>]]
 
: Actually, Wales and Scotland are nations, and the UK is the State. It's the same with Catalonia, The Basque Country and Galicia and Spain. [[Special:Contributions/49.183.27.126|49.183.27.126]] ([[User talk:49.183.27.126|talk]]) 19:09, 29 July 2021 (UTC)
:''I feel that it is correct to use the title of the government and region in both languages.''
 
13:11, 17 July 2018 (UTC)
Please see my previous entry, where I pointed to the Linguistic Policy Act, which states that the only official name of Catalan institutions is the Catalan one. That is because Catalan linguistic policy (which is modelled after Quebec's) practises positive discrimination towards Catalan and Aranese, unlike that of, e.g., the Basque Country. Catalan names are also what we use in the expat community.
I'm fine with either map alone (although I'd recommend we choose the first one). The way it's presented now is a bit like a geography lesson. Perhaps we need to write [[WP:NOTAGEOGRAPHYLESSON]], like [[WP:NOTADICTIONARY]]? :P [[User:Kbb2|Kbb2]] <small>(ex. Mr KEBAB)</small> ([[User talk:Kbb2#top|talk]]) 13:03, 17 July 2018 (UTC)
 
: There's nothing wrong with Wikipedia giving geographic information and context - that's what Wikipedia is for. You appear to be approaching Wikipedia as a propaganda page for Spanish nationalism/anti-Catalanism (I'm Australian, so I'm looking at this from outside of your biased position).
In addition, you should be aware that the use of Spanish forms for certain Catalan names (such as those of Catalan institutions and politicians) is considered by Catalonians and many Spaniards as a form of Spanish chauvinism, which is why they are not generally used even in the Spanish-speaking media, and part of what makes this article POV in its current form.
:Both maps should definitely be included. Like Wales, Catalonia is a nation, recognised as such even within the constitution of Spain, and it's history is actually more like that of Scotland, which is even more separate to England than is Wales, so Wikipedia should treat Catalonia like Wales, at the very least.
 
::The legal and political status of Catalonia over Spain is quite different from that of Wales, Scotland, England or Northern Ireland over the United Kingdom. And the history of Catalonia is also quite different from Scotland, since Scotland has always been an independent territory until its union of equals with England to form the United Kingdom in 1707, while Catalonia was an independent county until its union with the Kingdom of Aragon in 1137 forming the Crown of Aragon, being dependent on the King of Aragon. Later this Crown of Aragon joined with the Crown of Castile forming Spain under the Catholic Monarchs in the 15th century, being in 1516 when Spain (Formed by the Crown of Castile and Aragon) was completely united by Charles I of Spain (Charles V of the HRE), considered the first King of Spain. All this info is in the article itself.
:''I agree with some of the changes made by this anonymous user. However, I feel other changes highlight Catalan-nationalist tendencies...''
::So is very different, in every sense, historical, legal and political, both in the past and today. The map of Europe is unnecessary in this article, since it is not present in any other autonomous community of Spain. [[User:Venezia Friulano|Venezia Friulano]] ([[User talk:Venezia Friulano|talk]]) 10:11, 30 April 2022 (UTC)
 
== North Catalonia ==
Please point out exactly which ones and why, and how that affects NPOV.
 
I think the intro should also mention, even if in a second role, that Catalonia is also a cultural figure which spreads through both Spain (the CCCAA) and France (North Catalonia). Otherwise is like turning Kurdistan page into a page for the Irak-administred autonomous region. <!-- Template:Unsigned --><small class="autosigned">—&nbsp;Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:Raicopk|Raicopk]] ([[User talk:Raicopk#top|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Raicopk|contribs]]) 12:57, 25 October 2019 (UTC)</small> <!--Autosigned by SineBot-->
:''...that seek to ignore the current, neutral reality that Catalonia is part of the Spanish state.''
 
:That is the [[Catalan Countries]], which has an article. According to the article, the support for politically unifying that region is weak. Catalonia to the Catalan Countries is as France to the Francosphere. [[User:Unknown Temptation|Unknown Temptation]] ([[User talk:Unknown Temptation|talk]]) 10:35, 15 January 2021 (UTC)
I shall note that we are writing an article about Catalonia, rather than Catalonia in the context of the Spanish State. We should branch this out into "Catalonia" and "Catalonia (Autonomous Community)", following the example of the entries for the Basque Country.
::That is not the Catalan Countries, which would include areas beyond Catalonia itself as it refers to a linguistic area. Catalonia proper (the territories of the former Principality of Catalonia) includes Northern Catalonia, which since the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659 rests under french sovereignty (see [[Northern Catalonia]]). [[User:Prrprtll|Prrprtll]] ([[User talk:Prrprtll|talk]]) 10:24, 27 May 2022 (UTC)
 
== Nomination for deletion of "Template:Largest cities of Catalonia" ==
:''As a general comment, I toned down this article (by adding Spanish names), so as to make it more neutral.''
 
[[File:Ambox warning blue.svg|30px|link=]][[Template:Largest cities of Catalonia]] has been [[Wikipedia:Templates for discussion|nominated for deletion]]. You are invited to comment on the discussion at [[Wikipedia:Templates for discussion/Log/2021 November 28#Largest cities of|the entry on the Templates for discussion page]]. --[[User:Triggerhippie4|Triggerhippie4]] ([[User talk:Triggerhippie4|talk]]) 09:40, 6 December 2021 (UTC)
In light of what I've indicated above, regarding the official and social use of those names, as well as the custom in the English-speaking community, I shall remove those again. Please don't reinsert them unless you've got an irrefutable argument in favour of doing so.
 
== A second map comparing it with European countries? ==
Lastly, please be careful when making edits (says me who just forgot to save this), you've wiped out quite a bit of useful stuff added by user [[User:Error|Error]] last night. I'll simply revert back to his version because that leaves me happy for the moment. Please advise if any of the other text you dragged back in was intentional (such as the rather verbose explanation of what the Generalitat is, which I had replaced by a short sentence and a link to [[Generalitat de Catalunya]])
I open this thread to address why this map ([https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:E.U-Catalonia.png#mw-jump-to-license]) is unnecessary and inappropriate for the Lead.
 
- First of all, it is a somewhat confusing comparison, because Catalonia is one of the Seventeen "Autonomous Communities" that make up Spain territorially, and yet it gives the feeling of being compared with [[Countries of Europe|Sovereign European countries]] as if Catalonia were an equivalent of them.
Lots more work to do on this article. Next day I'll copy it to a temporary subpage under Talk, which will be used as the basis for the "Catalonia (Autonomous Community)" entry (which is mostly what the current one deals with anyway).
 
- Secondly, there is no article from another [[Autonomous Communities of Spain|Autonomous Community]] that uses a second map to compare it with the rest of Europe:
---
 
::*[[Asturias]]
:''OK, you can't complain that I "unconsideratily" (sic)(I think the word you are looking for in English is "inconsiderably") reverted an edit without justification and then do it yourself.''
::*[[Castille and Leon]]
::*[[Castilla-La Mancha]]
::*[[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]]
::*[[Navarre]]
::*[[Cantabria]]
::*[[Andalusia]]
::*[[Murcia]]
::*[[Aragon]]
::*[[La Rioja]]
::*[[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]]
::*[[Valencian Community]]
::*[[Community of Madrid]]
::*[[Canary Islands]]
::*[[Balearic Islands]]
 
As you can see, the articles of all the territories of Spain use the single same map within Spain without making comparisons with European countries. The same thing also happens with the rest of the territories and regions of other countries, obviously:
Grr! I forgot to save my changes to this Talk page and had to retype them again, that's why the changes to the article went in first.
 
::*[[Trentino-Alto Adige]]
:''I left essentially everything the same as the edits made by this anonymous user, but added the name of the region and government in Spanish. I believe that I have provided sufficient justification for doing so.''
::*[[Toscana]]
::*[[Campania]]
::*[[Thuringia]]
::*[[Algarve]]
::*[[Occitania (administrative region)|Occitania]]
::*[[Thessaly]]
::*[[Trøndelag]]
::*[[Dalarna County]]
::*[[Lower Austria]]
::*[[Styria]], and a huge etcetera...
 
- Third, the argument with the comparison with [[Scotland]] is invalid. The political (and historical) status of Catalonia in Spain is different from that of Scotland in the [[United Kingdom]], since Scotland, unlike Catalonia, is a Constituent Country of the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is a sovereign state made up of countries (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) while Spain is a sovereign state made up of Autonomous Communities, not constituent countries, they are different Political Statuses. Catalonia is one of these Autonomous Communities and it doesn't have any special or different political status with respect to the rest of Spanish territories.
OK, now that I've finally provided the reasoning for my changes here, I'll revert one back, assuming your revert was due to this unintended absence of agumentation on my part. Once again, pls. careful with those changes, you managed to erase Error's contributions a second time.
 
Mainly due to these three reasons, and because potentially violates Wikipedia's neutrality and creates double standards, the map is removed from the Lead. Thanks. [[User:Venezia Friulano|Venezia Friulano]] ([[User talk: Venezia Friulano|talk]]) 4:02, 6 May 2022 (UTC)
And now that you know that introducing the name in Spanish is considered as much of a political statement as is, in your view, not having it, I trust we can move onto more useful work.
 
It is also not reasonable to compare Catalonia with Flanders, since the Communities of [[Belgium]] have broader autonomy and are framed in a Federal System, it is not a Unitary System like Spain. In addition, in all the Communities of Belgium ([[Flemish Community]], [[French community of Belgium|French Community]] and [[German-speaking community of Belgium|German Community]]) there is uniformity in the style of the map used (there is also uniformity in the use of the maps of the different countries of UK), unlike Spain, in which there is a double standard with Catalonia.
---
 
Another reason why I consider that there is a potential violation of the WP:Neutrality is that, although it doesnt show Catalonia as independent, I think that there is a certain interest in distinguishing Catalonia as somewhat "different or unique" from the rest of Spain, when it isn't. The fact that Catalonia is the only Autonomous Community with a second map comparing it with the rest of Europe I think is due the nationalist ideologies that always surround the issue of Catalonia. I don't want to be disrespectful, but I can see an obvious nationalistic motivation in this regard. [[User:Venezia Friulano|Venezia Friulano]] ([[User talk:Venezia Friulano|talk]]) 12:57, 6 May 2022 (UTC)
''Update from 10:25, 12 Oct 2004'': Added Italian and Arabic to the list of names of the country in various languages. Rationale is that Italy has a (tiny) Catalan-speaking minority, and Arabic is the 1st or 2nd language of a significant part of Catalans.
: I find the second map perhaps ''unnecessary'' but not necessarily ''inappropriate''. From a legal point of view Catalonia is like any other autonomous community in Spain, but from other points of view it is not, for example it's one of 2 communities (the other being the Basque Country) where a sizeable part of the population, perhaps even a majority, wants independence from Spain. There's no reason to restrict the page to a ''legalistic'' point of view. --[[User:Jotamar|Jotamar]] ([[User talk:Jotamar|talk]]) 17:31, 8 May 2022 (UTC)
::I agree with Jotamar; the lack of true independence doesn't change the sentiments that exist in the region. Catalonia is unique from the other autonomous communities in this respect because Catalonia is unique in some important respects. [[User:LittleLazyLass|'''<span style="color:#BA55D3">LittleLazyLass</span>''']] ([[User_talk:LittleLazyLass|Talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/LittleLazyLass|Contributions]]) 03:05, 9 May 2022 (UTC)
 
== A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion ==
:I deleted these references. This part of Italy never has been considered Catalonia, and Arabic (Berber is more spoken) is not considered a language of there, by both Catalan and Arabic people. ~~
The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion:
* [[commons:File:Catalonia Product Exports (2020).svg|Catalonia Product Exports (2020).svg]]<!-- COMMONSBOT: discussion | 2023-03-23T14:47:56.805904 | Catalonia Product Exports (2020).svg -->
Participate in the deletion discussion at the [[commons:Commons:Deletion requests/Files uploaded by Dave-landry-datawheel|nomination page]]. —[[User:Community Tech bot|Community Tech bot]] ([[User talk:Community Tech bot|talk]]) 14:48, 23 March 2023 (UTC)
 
== Lead ==
::These languages are not needed. [[User:Chameleon|''Chameleon'']] 16:17, 16 Oct 2004 (UTC)
 
@[[User:El Caganer|El Caganer]], please explain your changes to the lead, short description, and infobox of this article, and why they are an improvement over the previous version. [[User:A.D.Hope|A.D.Hope]] ([[User talk:A.D.Hope|talk]]) 01:10, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
:::I knew they weren't going to last long. The reason why I introduced the Arabic form was because I thought it might be of help to speakers of Arabic (also Farsi and Hurdu) to know the correct spelling of the name in the Arabic alphabet (the first ''a'' is short and thus unwritten). Being unconvinced by the arguments for deletion, I might make an attempt to surreptitiously reintroduce it in the course of future edits. Ideally, of course, one would translate the whole article into Arabic, but I'm ''not'' volunteering :)
 
:It is more than proven that Catalonia is a historic European nation. A nation is a large type of social organization where a collective identity, a national identity, has emerged from a combination of shared features across a given population, such as language, history, ethnicity, culture, territory or society.
----
:See what means in the Cambridge dictionary about Nation: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/nation
:Catalonia is clearly a historical european nation (different traditions, cuisine, language, identity, aspirational freedoms..) [[User:El Caganer|El Caganer]] ([[User talk:El Caganer|talk]]) 03:24, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
::I've been reading all the arguments about the possibility of changing the definition of Catalonia as a nation, and I agree. Catalonia has been a historic nation. I agree with ElCaganer's definition. [[Special:Contributions/185.124.28.202|185.124.28.202]] ([[User talk:185.124.28.202|talk]]) 02:23, 15 August 2025 (UTC)
:Totally agree with ElCaganer. [[User:The Penfield Homunculus|The Penfield Homunculus]] ([[User talk:The Penfield Homunculus|talk]]) 04:14, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
:: {{re|The Penfield Homunculus|El Caganer}} This is totally insufficient grounds, and is merely [[WP:OR|your own personal opinion]], which is not sufficient grounds for inclusion of your content. Wikipedia's [[WP:Verifiability]] policy is clear:
::: {{xt|All material in [[Wikipedia:Mainspace|Wikipedia mainspace]], including everything in articles, lists, and captions, must be verifiable. All quotations, and any material whose verifiability has been challenged or is likely to be challenged, must include an [[WP:INCITE|inline citation]] to a reliable source that directly supports<sup>&#91;[[Special:Permalink/1213700438#cite_note-directly_supports-2|a]]&#93;</sup> the material. Any material that needs an inline citation but does not have one may be removed.}}
:: This is a '''[[WP:CHALLENGE|formal challenge]]:''' source the assertions recently re-added to the article for the third or fourth time that Catalonia "{{xt|is a European nation}}" by adding a [[WP:CITE|citation]] to a [[WP:RS|reliable source]] that '''directly supports the assertion''' or it will be removed per policy. [[User:Mathglot|Mathglot]] ([[User talk:Mathglot|talk]]) 05:47, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
:::'''TWELVE SOURCES DEFENDING CATALONIA AS A HISTORICAL EUROPEAN NATION''':
:::'''1.''' Official source (Catalan Ministry for foreign action and European Union): "'''Catalonia is a nation that has over a thousand years of history'''" — https://exteriors.gencat.cat/en/ambits-dactuacio/afers_exteriors/delegacions_govern/welcome-to-catalonia/
:::'''2.''' The Wall Street Jounal: 'Catalonia Is a Nation' by Pascual Maragall — https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB113252539645302500
:::'''3.''' Book (Catalunya, One nation, two states) — https://pol-len.cat/llibres/catalunya-one-nation-two-states/
:::'''4.''' Book (Catalonia. Nation building without a state) by Kenneth McRoberts
:::'''5.''' Document: An example of the National History of a Stateless '''European Nation: Catalonia''' — https://fundaciobofill.cat/uploads/docs/m/q/t/pm5-0662_0.pdf
:::'''6.''' Financial Times by Pere Aragonès (current president of Catalonia):
:::'''Catalonia is a European nation''', open to the world, and committed to addressing global challenges. A nation with a rich historical legacy, diverse and modern, bound by its language, Catalan. A nation with a persistent desire for self-governance '''dating back centuries'''. A nation that wants to be free, that wants to be able to democratically and peacefully decide how it governs itself. A nation where a significant number of its citizens, including myself, want to create a new state, independent of Spain, but working together with it within the European framework. — https://www.ft.com/content/7931e7a9-9169-495a-8f64-3190bfffdff3
:::'''7.''' Doctoral Thesis — Nationalism, National Identity and Territory. The Case of Catalonia — https://www.tdx.cat/handle/10803/5076#page=1
:::'''8.''' Assamblea Nacional de Catalunya (History and foundation of Catalonia): "'''An old nation since the 9th century'''" — https://int.assemblea.cat/fr/about-catalonia/history/
:::'''9.''' Smithsonian Magazine: "Will Catalan Elections Allow '''an Old Nation''' to Become a New State In Europe??" — https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/will-catalan-elections-allow-old-nation-become-new-state-europe-180956741/
:::'''10.''' ARA Editions: "What '''in medieval times was a powerful nation which extended its influence across and beyond the Mediterranean''', is now an autonomous region within the Spanish State posessing restricted powers, devolved as seen fit by the central state. It has its own language, Catalan, and institutions, '''amongst them one of Europe's oldest Governments and Parliaments'''". — https://www.ara.cat/especials/catalan-way-catalonia-independence_1_2237291.amp.html
:::'''11.''' Historian (J.Maria Ainaud de Lasarte) document: "'''Catalonia, a thousand-year-old nation, that has wanted to live in peace with al1 others.'''" — https://www.raco.cat/index.php/Catalonia/article/download/105103/160455
:::'''12.''' Barcelona City House: "'''Catalonia, home to a thousand-year-old nation''', has a wealth of traditional festivals." — https://www.barcelona.cat/culturapopular/en/cases-de-la-festa/what-are-festival-activities-centres/festival-people
 
'''Modifications on 2004-10-29'''
 
[[User:El Caganer|El Caganer]] ([[User talk:El Caganer|talk]]) 07:20, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
Corrected a couple of misspellings, and rewrote the paragraph about the governing coallition ("Maragall's government will thus be an uncomfortable alliance between...") to correct a factual inaccuracy and eliminate its POV tone by removing assertions not backed by independent references and the accuracy of which was debatable.
::::Twelve sources [[User:El Caganer|El Caganer]] ([[User talk:El Caganer|talk]]) 07:22, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
:::::Worth pointing out that as the first source is [[WP:PRIMARY]] it's not suitable for this kind of definition. — '''[[User:Czello|<i style="color:#8000FF">Czello</i>]]''' <sup>''([[User talk:Czello|<i style="color:#8000FF">music</i>]])''</sup> 12:24, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
::::::And the other 11 sources? If you want I can add 30 more. [[User:El Caganer|El Caganer]] ([[User talk:El Caganer|talk]]) 13:11, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
:::::::I have no commentary on those and have no horse in this race –&nbsp;just pointing out that one isn't usable. — '''[[User:Czello|<i style="color:#8000FF">Czello</i>]]''' <sup>''([[User talk:Czello|<i style="color:#8000FF">music</i>]])''</sup> 14:35, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
::::::::I'd point out that both the FT and Wall Street Journal articles are opinion pieces from Catalonians, and therefore may not be independent? [[User:Davidstewartharvey|Davidstewartharvey]] ([[User talk:Davidstewartharvey|talk]]) 14:57, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
:::::::::Indeed, opinion pieces should be avoided for a subject as contentious as this. — '''[[User:Czello|<i style="color:#8000FF">Czello</i>]]''' <sup>''([[User talk:Czello|<i style="color:#8000FF">music</i>]])''</sup> 21:01, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
::::::::::I’m in concordance with @[[User:BCNViki|BCNViki]]: That Catalonia is a historical European nation is not debatable, it is a fact (There are infinite sources). And that it is currently an autonomous community in the Spanish kingdom is not debatable either, it is a fact. And it is important to give this dual description to provide context to the article’s reader. 4 users are (for the moment) agree with mantain the short description with the autonomous community actual status but in the lead of the page: a historical European nation administrated currently as an autonomous community and as a nationallity by its statute. [[User:El Caganer|El Caganer]] ([[User talk:El Caganer|talk]]) 21:20, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
:::::::::::Hello. Just informing other editors here that [[User:El Caganer|El Caganer]] has been [[WP:CAN|canvassing]] by posting messages on the talk pages of other editors by choice ([https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Jacob%C3%AD&diff=prev&oldid=1215833299 1] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:BCNViki&diff=prev&oldid=1215833501 2]). This is not the way to gain consensus on Wikipedia. [[User:StephenMacky1|StephenMacky1]] ([[User talk:StephenMacky1|talk]]) 21:39, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
::::::::::::I have made my position very clear in favor of defining Catalonia as a European historical nation and I have been the only user to provide specific references. I'm tired of the accusations of trying to influence in this Talk page. In fact, you will do whatever you want. My opinion doesn't matter. It only matters that out of 12 references, 3 are not relevant or from my influences towards other users. I will not contribute further to this debate. Edit and change what you want. [[User:El Caganer|El Caganer]] ([[User talk:El Caganer|talk]]) 08:27, 28 March 2024 (UTC)
: The first change of the lead to prioritise "nation" was made in [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Catalonia&diff=1213584311&oldid=1213389010 this edit] on 13 March 2024, with no clear indication of consensus aside constant reverts backing up the recent change. '''[[User:DankJae|<span style="color: black">Dank</span>]][[User talk:DankJae|<span style="color: red">Jae</span>]]''' 11:04, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
::Notified [[WP:CATALONIA]], [[WP:SPAIN]], [[WP:CATALAN]] and [[WP:GEOG]]. '''[[User:DankJae|<span style="color: black">Dank</span>]][[User talk:DankJae|<span style="color: red">Jae</span>]]''' 11:12, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
:::Coming off that notification, this article is about Catalonia the political unit that is currently an autonomous region of Spain. There are of course other meanings to the word Catalonia, and they should be covered elsewhere. [[User:Chipmunkdavis|CMD]] ([[User talk:Chipmunkdavis|talk]]) 11:17, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
:Hello editors, reviewing the Catalonia page I have seen that there is currently a discussion about what definition of Catalonia should be on the lead page. The fact that Catalonia is a historic European nation is undeniable. I have been able to see several references and it is like that. I think we should maintain the definition of a historical European nation, in fact most users agree with this. [[User:Synalepha|Synalepha]] ([[User talk:Synalepha|talk]]) 03:12, 28 March 2024 (UTC)
:Hello, a few weeks ago I checked this page and the definition of historic European nation has been deleted. I just read this section and all the comments in it and I agree with keeping the definition as it was. It is a proven fact and should be maintained in the main definition. I vote for mantein: Catalonia is a historical european nation now administrated as an autonomous community of Spain. [[Special:Contributions/79.153.9.62|79.153.9.62]] ([[User talk:79.153.9.62|talk]]) 11:52, 30 March 2024 (UTC)
:Why the lead has deleted? it was perfect as it was... Catalonia is a historical european nation. how many sections have this theme? major of users are in favour to catalonia as a hstorical european nation. [[Special:Contributions/93.191.139.160|93.191.139.160]] ([[User talk:93.191.139.160|talk]]) 14:27, 30 March 2024 (UTC)
::Many such users were blocked as all being the same person. '''[[User:DankJae|<span style="color: black">Dank</span>]][[User talk:DankJae|<span style="color: red">Jae</span>]]''' 15:06, 30 March 2024 (UTC)
 
=== European nation, or autonomous community ===
More work remains to be done on this section. To start with, could someone please provide references to support the paragraph that starts "One of the keys to Catalan politics is the fact that Barcelona..." Seems very unclear to me whether any of the affirmations made there are anything else but the author's personal impression. And what is that paragraph trying to say, anyway?
 
There has been [[WP:EW|edit-warring]] in the lead on how to describe Catalonia, namely as a ''European nation'', or an ''autonomous community'', and it has to stop. (Secondarily, there has been some disagreement about the terms ''country'' vs. ''sovereign state''.) This page is the place to discuss content disagreements about this article. In adding comments below, please consider Wikipedia's core policy of [[WP:V|verifiability]] and the dependence of content on published [[WP:RS|reliable]], [[WP:INDEPENDENT|independent]], [[WP:SECONDARY|secondary sources]], which in preference [[WP:RSUEC|should be in English]].
As for the passage that goes "Despite his radical background, Pujol..." What is meant by Pujol's ''radical'' background? Apart from the use of an emotionally charged word, this is the first time I hear someone label Pujol a "radical", and I'm curious as to the reasons why? :)
 
It is already clear there is a disagreement, so there is no point in merely adding a comment in order to say, "This one is better" or "I like that one better"; that is meaningless and will not lead to [[WP:CONS|consensus]]. Instead, show how your preferred wording better complies with [[WP:PG|Wikipedia policy and guidelines]], in particular [[WP:V|Verifiability]] and [[WP:DUEWEIGHT]]. That is the only thing that counts, and not [[WP:OR|our own particular opinions]] on the topic. Thanks, [[User:Mathglot|Mathglot]] ([[User talk:Mathglot|talk]]) 01:29, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
And now on to the second sentence on the same paragraph. What is it trying to say by saying that "nationalist factions became increasingly dissatisfied with ''his'' rule"? Whose rule? Pujol's in Catalonia or Aznar's in Madrid? And what is a "nationalist faction"? The 47.3% of parliamentary representation from the fully autoctonous parties CiU and ERC, or the 85.8% of seats occupied by parties defining themselves or their programmes as "catalanist", or something else? So, was CiU dissatisfied with their own representative's (Pujol) rule, or is CiU not a "nationalist" party, or were these "factions" (including the "faction" governing Catalonia) in fact dissatisfied with Aznar's Spanish government, or exactly what?
*Looking at the evidence, Catalonia, or to be precise the Principality of Catalonia was a nation (Barcelona was a separate kingdom). Based upon that the lead is not totally inaccurate, but just needs a rejigging " is an administered autonomous community of Spain, designated as a nationality by its Statute of Autonomy, and historically has been a European nation."[[User:Davidstewartharvey|Davidstewartharvey]] ([[User talk:Davidstewartharvey|talk]]) 12:05, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
*:I think something along those lines is the easiest solution. The short description and infobox should remain as they are, as they reflect Catalonia's current status. [[User:A.D.Hope|A.D.Hope]] ([[User talk:A.D.Hope|talk]]) 12:42, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
*::I have provided more than 10 sources demonstrating that Catalonia is a historic European nation. Perhaps the short description should reflect the current state but the definition on the page should remain as a historical European nation. [[User:El Caganer|El Caganer]] ([[User talk:El Caganer|talk]]) 12:56, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
*:::I disagree that the main definition of Catalonia should be as an 'historical European nation'. Its current status should take precedence. [[User:A.D.Hope|A.D.Hope]] ([[User talk:A.D.Hope|talk]]) 14:32, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
*::::The definition I propose is fully compatible with your argument and proven. That Catalonia is a historic European nation is true and you can see the multitude of articles I have contributed. The phrase says that this historic European nation is currently administered as an autonomous community within Spain. [[User:El Caganer|El Caganer]] ([[User talk:El Caganer|talk]]) 17:54, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
*:::::Catalonia's historic status is mentioned in the second and third paragraphs of the lead, so I'm not sure it needs to also be mentioned in the first paragraph. [[User:A.D.Hope|A.D.Hope]] ([[User talk:A.D.Hope|talk]]) 18:35, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
*::::::In the short description I’m agree with you (spanish autonomous comunity). But in the lead: Historic european nation administrated by autonmous comunity. [[User:El Caganer|El Caganer]] ([[User talk:El Caganer|talk]]) 19:01, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
*:::::::It's enough to state that Catalonia is an autonomous community in the lead paragraph, as that is its current status. Its historic status is covered later in the lead. [[User:A.D.Hope|A.D.Hope]] ([[User talk:A.D.Hope|talk]]) 20:37, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
*::::::::I am open to having "nation" be after the autonomous community, similar to what Davidstewartharvey suggested. As long as there is a discussion and consensus for it, than what occurred prior. Although many of the proponents are now blocked? While the sources provided by them aren't all independent, usually from Catalan politicians/political sources, and a thesis? What do international sources say? Are there other sources that say they're a nation now? Because we probably should give less weight to something in the first sentence that is "historical", compared to its contemporary status. '''[[User:DankJae|<span style="color: black">Dank</span>]][[User talk:DankJae|<span style="color: red">Jae</span>]]''' 20:13, 29 March 2024 (UTC)
*:::::I agree with this description. That Catalonia is a historical European nation is not debatable, it is a fact. And that it is currently an autonomous community in the Spanish kingdom is not debatable either, it is a fact. And it is important to give this dual description to provide context to the article’s reader. [[User:BCNViki|BCNViki]] ([[User talk:BCNViki|talk]]) 19:49, 27 March 2024 (UTC)
*:::::: Please note: this user BCNViki was [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:BCNViki&diff=prev&oldid=1215880543 very explicitly canvassed] to come here and even given exact instructions on what to say by El Caganer. [[User:Fred Zepelin|Fred Zepelin]] ([[User talk:Fred Zepelin|talk]]) 02:25, 28 March 2024 (UTC)
*:::::::“Canvassed” and “given instructions”? Not at all. I find offensive that you presume I don't have a voice of my own. Please apologize. I was merely notified that this discussion was going on, and I contributed my perspective. Comments like yours make forums tiresome. [[User:BCNViki|BCNViki]] ([[User talk:BCNViki|talk]]) 09:34, 29 March 2024 (UTC)
*::::::::I'm sure you do have a voice of your own, but you ''were'' canvassed here. — '''[[User:Czello|<i style="color:#8000FF">Czello</i>]]''' <sup>''([[User talk:Czello|<i style="color:#8000FF">music</i>]])''</sup> 12:52, 29 March 2024 (UTC)
*::::::::: Yeah, I said nothing about your behavior, BCNViki. I didn't say that you followed the instructions or anything about your voice. The El Caganer account has been blocked for sockpuppetry, and my comments were entirely about that socking and canvassing user. Their behavior is the problem, not yours. Hope that clears it up. [[User:Fred Zepelin|Fred Zepelin]] ([[User talk:Fred Zepelin|talk]]) 17:01, 30 March 2024 (UTC)
:Hello editors, reviewing the Catalonia page I have seen that there is currently a discussion about what definition of Catalonia should be on the lead page. The fact that Catalonia is a historic European nation is undeniable. I have been able to see several references and it is like that. I think we should maintain the definition of a historical European nation, in fact most users agree with this. [[User:Synalepha|Synalepha]] ([[User talk:Synalepha|talk]]) 03:14, 28 March 2024 (UTC)
::Catalonia's historic status is already covered in the lead. Why should it take precedence over its current status in the lead paragraph? [[User:A.D.Hope|A.D.Hope]] ([[User talk:A.D.Hope|talk]]) 10:54, 28 March 2024 (UTC)
:Echoing my comment above as discussion seems to have moved here, this conversation is backwards in taking a name and then trying to build the article around it. The discussion is not what to define "Catalonia" as, but what the article is about. In this case, it is about the current polity. [[User:Chipmunkdavis|CMD]] ([[User talk:Chipmunkdavis|talk]]) 11:37, 28 March 2024 (UTC)
::Hello, a few weeks ago I checked this page and the definition of historic European nation has been deleted. I just read this section and all the comments in it and I agree with keeping the definition as it was. It is a proven fact and should be maintained in the main definition. I vote for mantein: Catalonia is a historical european nation now administrated as an autonomous community of Spain. [[Special:Contributions/79.153.9.62|79.153.9.62]] ([[User talk:79.153.9.62|talk]]) 11:51, 30 March 2024 (UTC)
:Why the lead has deleted? it was perfect as it was... Catalonia is a historical european nation. user elcaganer demontrate with a lot of sources. i will revert. i don't see nobody with contrarious reasons.. [[Special:Contributions/93.191.139.160|93.191.139.160]] ([[User talk:93.191.139.160|talk]]) 14:26, 30 March 2024 (UTC)
::And I reverted that, it is being discussed here. '''[[User:DankJae|<span style="color: black">Dank</span>]][[User talk:DankJae|<span style="color: red">Jae</span>]]''' 15:06, 30 March 2024 (UTC)
::The IP 93.191.139.160 is likely the same editor as "user elcaganer" that they've praised here, and both are socks of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Sockpuppet_investigations/The_Penfield_Homunculus ThePenfieldHomunculus.] [[User:Fred Zepelin|Fred Zepelin]] ([[User talk:Fred Zepelin|talk]]) 17:10, 30 March 2024 (UTC)
:Catalonia it has its own language, culture, law and history and also because there is a generalized feeling of being one among the citizens. Yes, Catalonia it's a historical european nation. [[Special:Contributions/185.124.28.224|185.124.28.224]] ([[User talk:185.124.28.224|talk]]) 10:58, 17 August 2025 (UTC)
I often struggle with the use of ill defined, ambiguous terms - such as nation (and ethnic group). In my experience nation is sometimes used to indicate an (independent) country but sometimes also as a group of people identifying themselves along shared culture and heritage (ethnic group) an example are the Canadian [[First Nations]]. And all mixes of these two. In general it appears that the idea of [[nation state]] is relatively recent, in most cases 19th century, although some arguments extend to early modernity. From the above it is not clear to me what specific definition is referred to in this discussion.
*If we want to consider Catalonia a historical nation-state, the existence of principality may be an indication - but that only proves the claim it was a state, requiring additional evidence of a nation. That state no longer exists so it is merely historical.
*If we want to consider the Catalonians a nation the previous existence of the principality is not really relevant as past ownership of lands and people have little to do with how people identify.
So my first question to untangle this would be to define the usage of the term Nation unambiguously. If we don't I am afraid we will get stuck in a discussion that can never be resolved as the ambiguous definition makes it impossible to agree and to disagree at the same time. (To be frank I think it might prove impossible to find such a clear definition, in which case the only way out may be to remove the term nation from the article). [[User:Arnoutf|Arnoutf]] ([[User talk:Arnoutf|talk]]) 16:57, 30 March 2024 (UTC)
:The addition of {{tq|historical}} and/or {{tq|European}} as qualifiers reads as a bonafide slogan. The entire lead section should be trimmed down of historical details (also displaying some needless pov-related fixations, in addition to an also overlong recentist last paragraph about recent developments and the ubiquitous bad practice of namedropping individual names). Visibilization of the consolidated national identity of Catalans could be augmented in the lead and/or be framed in different terms, but I do not see a point in pulling the quite clunky proposal above involving the opening statement.--Asqueladd ([[User talk:Asqueladd|talk]]) 18:35, 30 March 2024 (UTC)
::Agreed, the last four paragraphs should be compressed into one. The body's history section suffers similarly. [[User:Chipmunkdavis|CMD]] ([[User talk:Chipmunkdavis|talk]]) 10:02, 31 March 2024 (UTC)
*Coming here off the WikiProject notifications. I think that Catalan is officially a nationality and Catalonia an autonomous region of Spain (perhaps throwing in something about "disputed" because [[2017 Catalan independence referendum|you know]]) should be prioritised over saying that, historically, Catalonia has had nation status; the current facts before history to not confuse people and I think it's kind of common sense. If we're going into history, for example, how much do we cover? Aragon, prehistory... the present first. Endorse {{u|Davidstewartharvey}} summary up top of this section, too. [[User:Kingsif|Kingsif]] ([[User talk:Kingsif|talk]]) 23:19, 3 April 2024 (UTC)
====Socks in this discussion====
With the exception of BCNViki (who was canvassed here by a sock account), the comments above supporting the recent attempt to change the lead to "a historical European nation" are all socks of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Sockpuppet_investigations/The_Penfield_Homunculus ThePenfieldHomunculus.] This includes El Caganer, Synalepha (both of which are already blocked) and a smattering of IPs that have cropped up since the blocks. I see no point in replying to that one editor anymore; the lead should stay in the long-stable condition that it was before they arrived. [[User:Fred Zepelin|Fred Zepelin]] ([[User talk:Fred Zepelin|talk]]) 17:14, 30 March 2024 (UTC)
====Deletion of "Lead" discussion====
As has been stated by [[User:Fred Zepelin|Fred Zepelin]], this discussion to change Catalonia to a historical European Nation is a bunch of sockpuppets of [[Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/The Penfield Homunculus|The Penfield Homunculus]]. Furthermore, it has a major disputed topic that resulted in edit wars to keep [[WP:NPOV]] active in the article, which The Penfield Homunculus cared very little for as an extreme [[Catalan independence movement|Catalan independence activist]]. The article already states in its own way indirectly with both history, and just in general that Catalonia used to be a nation, it has no reason to be centered when the idea was started by a banned user to put it more boldly. Panenkazo, 93.191.139.160, El Caganer, A Crocodile in Bed, Synalepha, etc, most, if not ALL who supported this idea have been shown to be The Penfield Homunculus using alternative accounts. - [[User:SnowieLuna1212|SnowieLuna1212]] ([[User talk:SnowieLuna1212|talk]]) 23:26, 16 July 2024 (UTC)
 
This has now been re-added to the lead by an IP, most likely another sock of the same person. Something about the July weather, perhaps. [[Special:Contributions/81.78.53.142|81.78.53.142]] ([[User talk:81.78.53.142|talk]]) 21:56, 13 July 2025 (UTC)
In order to improve the above, both from an accuracy, balance, and literary point of view, I suggest that contributions (especially on volatile topics such as politics) be solidly based on (and preferably limited to) factual data, and free of any kind of interpretative comment. Personally, I think a minimal familiarity with the subject would also be beneficial, in order to lessen the risk of the author misinterpreting the data.
 
:Agree the readded part was in any case poorly written (non neutral tone), poorly sourced (websites only) and contained some blatantly absurd implications (synthesis) by linking Catalonia as 1000 year to being an EU nation (which is not even 100 years old and did not exist while Catalonia had anything close to independence) [[User:Arnoutf|Arnoutf]] ([[User talk:Arnoutf|talk]]) 16:24, 14 July 2025 (UTC)
== Occitan ==
::I've added the header again. I've removed the link to the European Union because it certainly didn't make sense, but the fact that Catalonia is a nation cannot be denied. It's clear that this header must be included. I've reviewed the references, and they're not absurd. Most of them are from historians. [[Special:Contributions/213.143.49.228|213.143.49.228]] ([[User talk:213.143.49.228|talk]]) 06:24, 17 July 2025 (UTC)
:::Yes, Catalunya it is a historical european nation. Vote for change the lead. [[Special:Contributions/185.124.28.202|185.124.28.202]] ([[User talk:185.124.28.202|talk]]) 02:29, 15 August 2025 (UTC)
 
== Mistake warning ==
From the article: "...this small region of 7,000 is the only place where Occitan (majoritarily spoken in France and some Italian valleys) has full official status." What can this possibly mean? Certainly Occitan is not a majority language in France. -- [[User:Jmabel|Jmabel]] | [[User talk:Jmabel|Talk]] 07:46, Nov 18, 2004 (UTC)
:They must have meant "mainly". [[User:Chameleon|''Chameleon'']] 09:23, 18 Nov 2004 (UTC)
:Ah, so "...spoken mainly in France and..." wrong word, wrong placement, no wonder I got confused. I'll fix it if no one already has. -- [[User:Jmabel|Jmabel]] | [[User talk:Jmabel|Talk]] 18:55, Nov 18, 2004 (UTC)
------
 
In the article about Catalonia there is a big mistake. In 1714 Catalonia was not supporting Philip V Borbon but the Archiduke of Austria as a candidate to be its king. Once defeated the Catalonian troops by the Castilian and French army is when Philip V rules in Catalonia and suspend its selfgovernment and political institutions [[User:Albertvankuir|Albertvankuir]] ([[User talk:Albertvankuir|talk]]) 19:35, 20 November 2024 (UTC)
The "comarques" of Vallespir, Conflent, Fenolleda, Capcir, Alta Cerdanya and Rosselló make up the "Département" of Pyrénées-Orientales and not the "Région" of Languedoc Roussillon, which comprises the Départements of Aude (11), Gard (30), Hérault, Lozère (48) and Pyrénées-Orientales (66). I have therefore rectified this point.
:Where does it state that? What I read is ''the Crown of Aragon sided '''against''' the Bourbon Philip V of Spain''. --[[User:Jotamar|Jotamar]] ([[User talk:Jotamar|talk]]) 22:42, 25 November 2024 (UTC)
(26/11/2004)
-----
 
== A Review/Comment ==
==Recently added link==
* Recently and anonymously added external link [http://www.freecatalonia.ghostchild.com Free Catalonia (forum)] seems to be a brand new web site. Not sure if its inclusion here is appropriate. Whether it is kept or dropped right now, someone should check it again in a month when it has some content to see if it is shaping up as the sort of thing we'd want to link to. -- [[User:Jmabel|Jmabel]] | [[User talk:Jmabel|Talk]] 20:29, Dec 1, 2004 (UTC)
 
I am not sure if the discussion above is still relevant (RE "European nation"), given some of the, what appears to be, misbehavior, but looking over that discussion and the article, I had a few thoughts. We must always keep in mind the principal purpose of an article, and in this case its purpose is to tell readers, presumably English-speakers who know nothing of Catalonia, the what Catalonia is, its present state. The article has two major problems in this regard: the lead is overburdened by an extensive discussion of history, and the article's section on history is overly detailed and lengthy. There exists a separate article on the [[History of Catalonia]] for that.
* We have talked earlier on this discussion page (see the archives) about this link. It is not a NPOV. It advocates an opinion that is not only in direct conflict with what the majority of residents of this autonomous region think, it advocates separatist sentiment. This link should be located in a page describing secessionist sentiments espoused by a minority of Catalans who are hardline nationalists, not in a page describing the current reality of Catalonia as a Spanish autonomous region. [[User:Peter Wye|Peter Wye]] December 5, 2004
 
The arguments above remind me of the use of "labels" for things and people, which can be a delicate issue to resolve (though it isn't really). We recently wrote an essay [[Wikipedia: Crime labels]] on labels; Wikipedia has endless and lengthy arguments over labels. The main problem with any label it is overly brief, ambiguous, and poorly/inconsistently defined - hence readers (and Wikipedia arguers) will not ever interpret or understand labels in a reliable way (hence the endless Wikipedian arguments over them). As we conclude in the aforementioned Essay, far better to forego the label in the lead, and just include a brief, accurate description of what you want to say.
 
I recommend that the excessive history in the lead and in the history sections be greatly condensed for one; the History of Catalonia article is excellent for readers interested in history. This article should rely on it. The article's history section perhaps should be moved to later in the article.
: I would like to bring to the readers' attention the emotionally charged and unfounded assertions that user Peter Wye has made above. In view of the predominantly political nature of the user's [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Contributions&target=Peter_Wye contributions] and certain rather immature [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:80.58.50.42&oldid=8187202 comments] he has made, denoting hostility towards Catalonia, I urge readers and editors to treat his edits on anything Catalan-related with caution. [[User:80.58.43.42|80.58.43.42]] 02:11, 2 Feb 2005 (UTC)
 
On the fractious subject of Catalan nationality, it would be entirely appropriate to highlight the major role the historical Catalan nation played in European history (briefly) in a later paragraph of the lead. (I keep contemplating how Venice is famous as a major power from 1100-1400 in the eastern Mediterranean, say, while Catalonia was equally powerful at the same time in the west, which is mostly unknown to people these days!) Also appropriate to include a (brief) paragraph on the much-disputed question of present-day Catalan independence, a subject that is much in the news; emphasizing that the issue is not new. All that being said, it would be better for the lead to focus on present-day facts about Catalonia - geography, demographics, government type, languages, economy, agriculture (wine production), industry, precise relation with Spain, culture, sports (barça), etc. The article already discusses all of those things...not so much the lead. [[User:Bdushaw|Bdushaw]] ([[User talk:Bdushaw|talk]]) 14:54, 25 December 2024 (UTC)
== Bilingualism, Spanish language (castellano) ==
 
:Catalonia it has its own language, culture, law and history and also because there is a generalized feeling of being one among the citizens. Yes, Catalonia it's a historical european nation. [[Special:Contributions/185.124.28.224|185.124.28.224]] ([[User talk:185.124.28.224|talk]]) 11:00, 17 August 2025 (UTC)
Someone inserted the following into the discussion of language: "and [[Spanish language|Spanish]] (48%-52%)". I've cut it, but only because it was so terse that it was unclear in its meaning. We ''should'' further discuss the status of the Spanish language in Catalonia besides the fact that it is co-official. We have meticulous numbers on how many people in Catalonia understand Catalan and even Aranese, but nothing on the fact that close to 100% understand Spanish at an effectively native level and nothing about the percentage who consider Spanish their first language. This should be an additional section in the article, covered at the same level we cover Catalan and Aranese. -- [[User:Jmabel|Jmabel]] | [[User talk:Jmabel|Talk]] 02:30, Dec 19, 2004 (UTC)
:The main reason why a relevant independence demand emerged from 2010 was the need for citizens to be recognized by the Spanish state as a higher status than simply an autonomous community of Spain. Citizens have a sense of nationhood. All historians and history itself speak of Catalonia as a nation (several interesting and relevant references have been presented in the previous point). The Catalan parliament itself approved the inclusion of the word nation in the statute of autonomy in 2006. Catalonia is and has been a nation and this should be reflected in the lead. [[Special:Contributions/185.124.28.224|185.124.28.224]] ([[User talk:185.124.28.224|talk]]) 11:12, 17 August 2025 (UTC)
 
== Political violence ==
:From my impressionistic POV, it is not uncommon to find Catalan people in the Internet who mistakenly use Catalan spellings when typing Spanish (''i'' instead of ''y'' is a giveaway). I interpret that there are lots of young people for whom Spanish is mostly listened rather than written or read. --[[User:Error|Error]] 04:59, 19 Dec 2004 (UTC)
 
The part about separatism in the 2010's ignores Spanish political violence, which marked the crackdown on the referendum. Political violence, terror and prison have been common in the Spanish fight against separatism and diversity. Source https://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-hurt-as-riot-police-crack-down-on-banned-catalan-vote/ Why do we have this piece of Spanish propaganda? There was an attack on the Catalan people themselves, some attacked for just *sitting* outside of poll stations. [[User:UnJapóLliure|UnJapóLliure]] ([[User talk:UnJapóLliure|talk]]) 10:03, 7 January 2025 (UTC)
::Definitely. And we need to cover this, but not just in a cryptic remark. -- [[User:Jmabel|Jmabel]] | [[User talk:Jmabel|Talk]] 05:28, Dec 19, 2004 (UTC)
 
:::Joe, there is no data reflecting the use of Spanish is Catalonia being collected on a regular basis of which I am aware. The reason for that is that the Spanish language is not the responsibility of the Catalan government, and there are no specific policies regarding its use in Catalonia (other than a mention in the Estatut of Autonomia, by reference to the Spanish Constitution, of it having official status). Based on anecdotical and personal evidence, I would tend to agree with Error in that Spanish is mostly a spoken, or at most passively practiced, language in Catalonia. --[[User:80.58.43.42|80.58.43.42]] 02:18, 26 Mar 2005 (UTC)
 
::::I'm not disagreeing with Error (or this anon). The point is, though, that if we are going to talk about language in Catalonia, we should not give Spanish short shrift. I would say that anything about a nationally official language ''lacking'' official status in a region would be ''highly'' notable. -- [[User:Jmabel|Jmabel]] | [[User talk:Jmabel|Talk]] 06:32, Mar 26, 2005 (UTC)
 
Change 24/12/2004
Ivan.
It was said that Catalonia is an autonomous region, but that does not make any sense if you don´t tell to which country it belongs. Knowing the implications of the words country and state in Catalonia i just used the name Spain.
 
How similar are the Catalan and the Spanish? An answer to this question would make the data about the numbers who understand both languages easier to interpret. For example, some Slavic languages are so similar that the mutual understanding is close to 100%. --[[User:Georgius|Georgius]] 13:19, 24 Apr 2005 (UTC)
 
* Not very similar. I'd say subjectively that they are farther apart than Spanish and Italian, although I gather that linguists consider them more closely related. My own estimation is that anyone who knows one could become a reasonably competent ''reader'' of the other in a matter of a few months, but conversing, writing, and even tru reading fluency would take longer. This is real bilingualism. -- [[User:Jmabel|Jmabel]] | [[User talk:Jmabel|Talk]] 20:15, Apr 24, 2005 (UTC)
Thanks for the answer. Maybe I am not the only one who does not know that the two Romance languages are not so similar as e.g. Czech and Slovak or Serbian and Croatien. Perhaps it could be explained in the article?--[[User:Georgius|Georgius]] 17:56, 27 Apr 2005 (UTC)
 
== Harshness of Article ==
 
I feel that this article is being unduly critical of Catalonia. While I personally do not agree with the separatist pretensions that often filter through this article, the edits that have occurred have in my opinion presented Catalonia in a negative light that it does not deserve.
 
These edits must be discussed.
 
[[User:Peter Wye|Peter Wye]] 00:32, 3 Jan 2005 (UTC) Sunday January 2, 2005
 
I tend to agree, but I will admit that the article is not a priority for me right now. Do you have specific edits to propose? -- [[User:Jmabel|Jmabel]] | [[User talk:Jmabel|Talk]] 03:39, Jan 3, 2005 (UTC)
 
==Present Autonomous Community vs. historical Catalonia==
 
: I believe it would help to split the article into two, one dedicated to the [[Catalonia (autonomous community)|Catalan Autonomous Community]] and another for Catalonia as a national and historical entity, following the example of the articles [[Basque Country]] and [[Basque Country (autonomous community)]]. That should provide some degree of distinction between things being discussed in a Spanish context and independently of it. [[User:80.58.43.42|80.58.43.42]] 02:11, 2 Feb 2005 (UTC)
 
::I think that's a reasonable idea. Does someone want to take on this somewhat laborious task? Probably step one would be to set up a temporary redirect to the present article from [[Catalonia (autonomous community)]] and get everything linking where it should before splitting the article. -- [[User:Jmabel|Jmabel]] | [[User talk:Jmabel|Talk]] 06:08, Feb 2, 2005 (UTC)
 
:::There's already an article on the [[Catalan countries]]. I'd have to say, though, that when a particular political entity has the same name and a fairly obvious historical continuity with a historical political entity, it's fairly odd to have the historical one be the main referent. It's not as if [[Nova Scotia]] refers to the original Scottish colony, with the modern province at [[Nova Scotia (modern province)]]. -- [[user:Montrealais|Montrealais]]
 
::::Please note that ''Catalan Countries'' and ''Catalonia'' are not synonyms in any sense. The former refers either to the set of territories that have Catalan as a common language and share a number of other cultural traits, or to a political project to achieve some sort of unification of those countries along with independence from Spain and France. From my personal experience as a ten year resident, Catalonia itself is perhaps best described as a [[nation]] without a [[state]]. --[[User:80.58.43.42|80.58.43.42]] 01:59, 26 Mar 2005 (UTC)
 
==Barcelona as the "national" Catalan side==
 
I think the following needs to be substantiated: "The major football club FC Barcelona is "more than a club" and acts as an unofficial "national" team for Catalonia."
 
I have never heard any Catalan speak of Barça in this light. It is true that it represents the pro-Cataluña side of the divide, but no more than that.
: That's a thorny subject. It depens on which side of the divide are you on. For a lot of pro-Catalonia people, Barça is really "more than a club", a real symbol of Catalonia. A triumph of Barcelona, it's a triumph for Catalonia. The other First Division team, RCD Espanyol, it's not seen that way, more like the contrary.
 
::It was more in the Franco era, when Real Madrid was perceived as ''el equipo del gobierno'' by some.
::http://www.barcelonaconnection.net/docs/barca.html [[Manuel Vázquez Montalbán]]
::''En certa històrica ocasió, un president del Club de Futbol Barcelona va dir que el Barça era "...més que un club". Ho va dir durant el franquisme, en un moment en què a Espanya tot era més del que era: els escriptors eren quelcom més que escriptors, els silencis quelcom més que silencis, la memòria quelcom més que memòria, la impotèncis quelcom més que impotència. Tot el que no fos combregar amb la veritat oficial i absoluta del Franquisme es convertia en un fet d'oposició objectiva, i l'equip de futbol del Barcelona polaritzava les ànsies nacionalistes dels Catalans, com si fos l'exèrcit desarmat d'un país amb la identitat aixafada pel vencedor en la guerra civil.''
:: --[[User:Error|Error]] 03:20, 19 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 
:::It hasn't changed that much, in fact. The attitude of the previous PP government brought back a lot of these feelings, that still remain. This year's league championship was a big triumph not only because of the cup itself, but because it was won against Real Madrid.
:::It's not a simple issue and certainly is debatable.
 
== Cut from article ==
 
An anonymous editor recently made cuts without explanation. I have restored several where I can see no justification for the cuts. I let the following cut stand, though, because the content seems polemical, and should not be in the narrative voice of the article. If we want to get something like this in there, we should be citing someone as saying it. -- [[User:Jmabel|Jmabel]] | [[User talk:Jmabel|Talk]] 06:05, August 4, 2005 (UTC)
 
:However, this appears to be changing fast - the tendency of foreign companies to set up their headquarters and main factories in [[Madrid]] and the increasing popularity of other autonomous regions as destinations for foreign capital has accelerated over the last decade. Catalonia's traditional competitive advantages are being seriously eroded as lack of local and central government investment in public infrastructure (roads, schools, university research, etc.) becomes increasingly apparent. The region's educational system also compares poorly with several others in Spain, and very poorly at the European level. As a result, the risk of Catalonia failing to make a successful transition from an industrial economy to a knowledge-based one is looming ever larger. To make matters worse, various international companies have shifted their plants from Catalonia to former [[Eastern Bloc]] countries (where labour expenses are much lower and workers are generally more skilled).
 
A similar passage must have come in while I wasn't looking, and was, again, recently cut without comment. Again, if someone wants opinionated material like this in the article, they need to cite who says this. -- [[User:Jmabel|Jmabel]] | [[User talk:Jmabel|Talk]] 04:52, September 4, 2005 (UTC)
: Until recently, Catalonia was generally recognized as the second most economically dynamic region of Spain ( after Madrid ). Recent EU expansion to 25 nations may mean that Catalonia is no longer able to compete at either the technical level or on price with many countries in Eastern Europe - a fear that is widely expressed in specialist publications and in the local business press but which is omitted from official information for foreign investors. Tourism has been a bulwark of the Catalan economy ever since the late 60s. However, it shows signs of flagging, too, as tourists tire of the now overdeveloped and pricy Costa Brava and opt for more exotic destinations in the Caribbean and Indian Ocean. Several British tour operators have already struck large resorts like [[Lloret de Mar]] and [[Salou]] from their brochures. The local debate on promoting "quality tourism" may have come too late
 
== Which of two topics is this article about? ==
 
A recent edit completely changed the lead of the article. Old lead:
:'''Catalonia''' ([[Catalan language|Catalan]]:&nbsp;''Catalunya'', [[Spanish language|Spanish]]:&nbsp;''Cataluña'', [[Aranese]]:&nbsp;''Catalonha'', [[French language|French]]:&nbsp;''Catalogne'') is an [[Autonomous communities of Spain|Autonomous Community]] of [[Spain]], with the status of [[Historical Nationality]], in the north-east corner of the country. Historically, Catalonia included the ''[[Comarques of Catalonia|comarques]]'' (singular: ''comarca'') of [[Vallespir]], [[Conflent]], [[Capcir]], [[Alta Cerdanya]] and [[Rosselló]], which following the [[Treaty of the Pyrenees]] came under [[France|French]] administration and nowadays form part of the [[département]] of [[Pyrénées-Orientales]] (66). These territories are commonly referred to in Catalan as ''Catalunya Nord''.
 
Substituted lead:
:'''Catalonia''' ([[Catalan language|Catalan]]: ''Catalunya''; [[Spanish language|Spanish]]: ''Cataluña''; [[Aranese]]: ''Catalonha''; [[French language|French]]: ''Catalogne'') is a stateless nation in south-west Europe. Since the signing of the [[Treaty of the Pyrenees]] in 1659, Catalonia has been divided between [[France]], which took control of the [[Vallespir]], [[Conflent]], [[Capcir]], [[Alta Cerdanya]] and [[Rosselló]] ''[[Comarques of Catalonia|comarques]]'' (singular: ''comarca''), and Spain, to which the rest of the [[nation]] belongs. The territories under French administration are commonly referred to in Catalan as ''Catalunya Nord'' (Northern Catalonia).
 
The question is, is this an article about the [[Autonomous communities of Spain|Autonomous Community]] of Catalunya, in Spain, or about historic Catalunya, a now-stateless nation? I think it should be the former: that's what English-speakers most commonly mean when they say "Catalonia" or "Catalunya", and that there should be an article at some other title about Catalonia in the historical sense.
 
If we decide to go the other way, there is a lot of rewriting to do, because most of this article is specific to the autonomous region (although a few sections are more about the historical entity). -- [[User:Jmabel|Jmabel]] | [[User talk:Jmabel|Talk]] 21:46, September 5, 2005 (UTC)
 
::The stateless nation bit does not belong here. That belongs in an additional article. [[User:East Coast Boy|East Coast Boy]] 01:21, 11 September 2005 (UTC)