Catalan vs. Spanish — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 26, 2023
Catalan is a Romance language spoken primarily in Catalonia, Spain, and parts of France and Italy. Spanish, also a Romance language, is the official language of Spain and numerous countries in Latin America.
Difference Between Catalan and Spanish
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Catalan, predominantly spoken in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and Valencia (among other regions), is a language with roots in Vulgar Latin, just like Spanish. However, Catalan has evolved independently over centuries, resulting in distinctions in phonology, vocabulary, and grammar. Spanish, meanwhile, also termed Castilian, serves as the national language of Spain and is the dominant language in most parts of the country.
While both Catalan and Spanish have Latin origins, Catalan exhibits influences from other languages due to its geographic positioning, such as from Provençal (a dialect of Occitan) and French. Spanish, as a global language, has expanded far beyond Spain, notably influencing and being influenced by various indigenous languages in Latin America, further diversifying its dialects.
Regarding pronunciation and phonetics, Catalan contains certain sounds not present in standard Spanish. For instance, Catalan has the interdental sounds "ç" and "ix," which Spanish lacks. Conversely, Spanish possesses a distinct "z" sound differentiating it from the "s," a feature absent in Catalan.
Vocabulary differences are also evident. Many everyday words differ between Catalan and Spanish. For example, "thank you" is "gràcies" in Catalan and "gracias" in Spanish. While similarities exist due to their shared Latin ancestry, countless words are unique to each language.
In essence, though Catalan and Spanish share a historical and linguistic bond, they are individual languages. Their differences in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation underscore their uniqueness and the rich tapestry of Iberian linguistic heritage.
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Comparison Chart
Origins
Rooted in Vulgar Latin, with Provençal influences.
Rooted in Vulgar Latin, with various global influences.
Geographic Use
Primarily Catalonia, Balearic Islands, Valencia, and parts of France and Italy.
Spain and much of Latin America.
Pronunciation
Contains interdental sounds like "ç" and "ix."
Has distinct "z" and "s" sounds.
Key Vocabulary
E.g., "gràcies" for thank you.
E.g., "gracias" for thank you.
Grammar
Has its own set of grammatical rules distinct from Spanish.
Has its own set of grammatical rules distinct from Catalan.
Compare with Definitions
Catalan
Related to Catalonia or its people.
The Catalan flag has four red stripes on a golden background.
Spanish
A Romance language primarily spoken in Spain and Latin America.
Spanish is one of the most spoken languages worldwide.
Catalan
A person native to or living in Catalonia.
The Catalan artist Salvador Dalí is known worldwide.
Spanish
The customs, traditions, and heritage of Spain.
Spanish flamenco dancing is renowned for its passion and flair.
Catalan
Distinct from Castilian Spanish, with its own unique vocabulary and grammar.
Catalan literature boasts a rich and distinct heritage.
Spanish
Distinct from other Iberian languages like Catalan or Basque.
Spanish, as taught in schools, often refers to the Castilian dialect.
Catalan
A native of Catalonia in Spain.
Spanish
Pertaining to Spain, its people, or its culture.
Spanish cuisine includes paella and tapas.
Catalan
A Romance language closely related to Castilian Spanish and Provençal, widely spoken in Catalonia (where it has official status alongside Castilian Spanish) and in Andorra, the Balearic Islands, and parts of southern France. It has about 6 million speakers in all.
Spanish
Relating to Spain, its people, or its language.
Catalan
Relating to Catalonia, its people, or its language.
Spanish
The people of Spain.
Catalan
Of or relating to Catalonia or its people, language, or culture.
Spanish
A Romance language spoken in Spain and in much of Central and South America (except Brazil) and several other countries. It is the second most widely spoken first language in the world, with more than 400 millon speakers.
Catalan
A native or inhabitant of Catalonia.
Spanish
Of or relating to Spain or its people or culture.
Catalan
A person of Catalan ancestry.
Spanish
Of or relating to the Spanish language.
Catalan
The Romance language spoken especially in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, Andorra, and the Roussillon region of France.
Spanish
The Romance language of the largest part of Spain and most of Central and South America.
Catalan
Of or pertaining to Catalonia.
Spanish
(used with a pl. verb) The people of Spain.
Catalan
A native or inhabitant of Catalonia
Spanish
(printing) To subject to spanishing, a printing process in which an ink is deposited on the bottoms and sides of depressions formed in a plastic material
Catalan
The Romance language spoken in Catalonia in eastern Spain (related to Spanish and Occitan)
Spanish
Of or pertaining to Spain or the Spaniards.
Catalan
Relating to or denoting or characteristic of Catalonia or its inhabitants;
Catalan independence movement
Spanish
The language of Spain.
Catalan
Relating to or characteristic of the Catalan language;
Catalan poetry
Spanish
The Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain
Catalan
A Romance language spoken mainly in Catalonia and parts of France and Italy.
Catalan is the official language of Catalonia.
Spanish
The people of Spain
Catalan
The culture and traditions of the Catalan people.
The Catalan celebration of Sant Jordi involves exchanging books and roses.
Spanish
Of or relating to or characteristic of Spain or the people of Spain;
Spanish music
Spanish
A person from Spain.
The famous Spanish novelist is Miguel de Cervantes.
Common Curiosities
Where is Catalan primarily spoken?
Catalan is mainly spoken in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, Valencia, and parts of France and Italy.
Are Catalan and Spanish the same language?
No, they are distinct languages with different grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
Are there mutual intelligibility between Catalan and Spanish?
While there's some mutual intelligibility due to shared Latin roots, they are distinct languages.
Why is Spanish also called Castilian?
It's named after the region of Castile in Spain where the language originated.
Is Spanish the official language of Catalonia?
Both Spanish and Catalan are official languages in Catalonia.
Which language has more speakers: Catalan or Spanish?
Spanish has more speakers globally, given its presence in multiple countries.
Is Catalan derived from Spanish?
No, both languages have roots in Vulgar Latin and developed independently.
What are some unique sounds in Catalan not found in Spanish?
Catalan has sounds like "ç" and "ix" not present in standard Spanish.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
