Els orígens i l'evolució històrica del valencià - La història supera la ficció #04

Involució del Partit Popular i la Història Valenciana

Introducció a la Secció

• Els tertulians discuteixen sobre l'involució del Partit Popular, introduint el tema de viatges històrics.

• La secció "La Història Supera la Ficció" és presentada pel historiador Vincent Baidal.

Temes Polèmics en la Història Valenciana

• Es planteja un passeig per la història amb un enfocament en temes controvertits com l'origen de la paella i l'evolució del valencià.

• La discussió destaca que, tot i les controvèrsies, hi ha una explicació documentada sobre el desenvolupament del valencià al llarg del temps.

Orígens de la Llengua Valenciana

• S'analitzen teories sobre els orígens del valencià, incloent influències iberes i musulmanes abans de Jaume I.

• Es conclou que no hi ha evidència clara que vinculi el valencià amb les llengües iberes o àrabs previ a Jaume I.

Influència Romana i Musulmana

• Després de la conquesta romana, es menciona que els habitants van començar a parlar una forma evolucionada del llatí.

• A partir del segle VIII, amb l'arribada dels musulmans, l'àrab va substituir aquesta llengua entre molts cristians a València fins a 1238.

Conquesta de Jaume I i Formació del Valencià

• Quan Jaume I va conquerir València, la població parlava majoritàriament àrab; el romànic evolucionat ja no era prevalent.

• La creació del Regne de València va portar una barreja cultural entre catalans i aragonesos, contribuint al naixement del valencià modern.

Cultural and Linguistic Dynamics in Valencia

Historical Language Distribution

• The majority of Aragonese speakers communicated in Aragonese, particularly a variant known as Castellano-Aragonés. However, the influx of Catalans (approximately 65%) compared to Aragonese speakers (30-35%) led to Valencian becoming the predominant language in most regions.

Linguistic Similarities

• Valencian shares many characteristics with Western Catalan dialects from Lleida and Ebre regions, highlighting historical interactions between Catalan and Aragonese settlers.

Political Perspectives on Social Integration

• A statement from the Mayor of Lleida emphasizes that initiatives like Don Bosco aim for social cohesion and full integration of at-risk youth into society, ensuring equal rights for all young people.

Emotional Responses to Political Issues

• Isabel Ferrer, a councilor, expresses frustration over political decisions affecting community funding and governance. She reflects on her emotional state regarding recent events.

Historical Context of Valencian Language

• The transition between languages is rooted in historical ties between Catalonia and Aragón during the medieval period when Valencian emerged as a distinct language by the 14th and 15th centuries.

Transformation of Language Status Over Time

Medieval Linguistic Landscape

• During medieval times, Valencian was recognized as the dominant language among Christians across various territories, serving both everyday communication and cultural prestige.

Influence of Classical Literature

• Notable medieval figures such as Naucias Marcos and Mar Torell had Catalan roots but wrote in Valencian. This illustrates the linguistic blend present during that era.

Demographic Changes Impacting Language Use

• Significant demographic shifts occurred post-expulsion of Moriscos in 1609, leading to repopulation primarily with Castilian-speaking individuals which altered local linguistic dynamics.

Decline of Cultural Prestige for Valencian

• By the late 16th century onwards, Valencian began losing its status as a cultural language due to political changes following its incorporation into the Spanish monarchy under Catholic Monarchs.

Shift Towards Castilian Dominance

• The unification under Castile resulted in an imbalance where Castilian became more prevalent due to demographic superiority and control over political power centers located in Madrid.

The Decline of Valencian Language and Culture

Historical Context of Valencian Language

• The abandonment of the Valencian language by noble elites, such as the Esborja and Centelles families, began in the 15th century due to the influence of Spanish-speaking power structures.

• Unlike Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, where elites maintained their native language, Valencia saw a significant decline in Valencian usage among its upper classes.

Impact of Political Changes

• The Decree of Nueva Planta in 1707 abolished all self-governing institutions in Valencia, leading to a drastic shift in administrative language from Valencian to Castilian.

• This decree aimed for uniformity across Spain's laws and customs, mandating that local notaries conduct their duties exclusively in Castilian.

Consequences for Language Prestige

• As a result of these changes, Valencian was effectively removed from administration, diminishing its prestige and practical use within society.

• Prior to 1707, most documentation was written in Valencian; however, military imposition led to its rapid decline over generations.

Recent Developments and Current Status

• In recent centuries, while there has been a notable regression in the percentage of Valencian speakers due to historical repression (e.g., during Franco's regime), there have also been positive cultural recoveries.

• Despite a decrease in speakers over time—whereby by 1990 more people spoke Castilian than Valencian—the last few decades have seen efforts towards revitalization.

Statistical Overview

• By 1930, approximately 70% were Valencian speakers compared to only 30% who spoke Castilian. However, by 1990 this ratio flipped dramatically.

• Currently (as per recent statistics), about 40% speak Valencian at home while around 60% are Castilian speakers—a concerning trend for linguistic preservation.

Cultural Resurgence Efforts

• Positive advancements include legislative recognition for the use of Valencian since the late 20th century which has improved its status within education and media.

• Despite these improvements being relatively recent historically speaking, ongoing challenges remain regarding institutional support for promoting the language amidst political debates.

Optimism for the Future of Valencian Language

The Current State of Valencian Language

• The speaker acknowledges the challenging situation regarding the Valencian language, expressing a personal optimism despite difficulties.

• Historical resilience is highlighted, noting that Valencians have thrived under adverse conditions, unlike many societies globally.

• A prominent linguist, Imaculada de Serdar, emphasizes avoiding pessimistic discourse as fear can paralyze efforts to promote the language.

Educational Progress and Challenges

• The speaker shares a personal experience of not being able to study in Valencian until university, contrasting it with their children's ability to receive education entirely in Valencian.

• There is an observed decline in usage across certain areas; however, some regions show remarkable loyalty to the language.

Political and Social Factors Affecting Usage

• The speaker points out unfavorable policies towards Valencian and challenges posed by immigration from diverse linguistic backgrounds complicating integration.

Vision for a Pluralistic Future

• An optimistic view is presented about recognizing linguistic diversity as a valuable asset within democratic Spain.

• Reflecting on Imaculada's insights fosters a hopeful perspective on the future of the Valencian language amidst current challenges.

Conclusion and Upcoming Discussions

• The conversation wraps up with gratitude expressed towards Vicente and anticipation for future discussions focused on community inquiries.