Polite Requests in Catalan
 

Hello...

Heading to Barcelona soon and trying to learn a little Catalan. My Spanish is acceptable (but not great).

I'm trying to determine how to ask when I want something. In Spanish I would use Quisiera/Quisieramos (Subjunctive) to be ultra-polite, but various guide books as well as translation apps have it:

Voldria/Voldriem

This appears to be a mistranslation of "I would like..." leading to the Conditional.

What is the correct way to <strong>politely</strong> ask for something.

On the other hand, have I been doing it wrong in Spanish all these years? :-)

Thanks.
ssander

"What is the correct way to politely ask for something."

M'agradaria .......(beure un cafè/anar a casa/descansar....)
People will speak Spanish with foreigners in Barcelona. They won't expect you to speak Catalan.

I don't know if this might help you? http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...in-catalan.cfm

For what it's worth, on a trip eight years or so ago, we did fine with Spanish, although I did learn the polite phrases in Catalan just in case. Everyone was very polite and patient about my Spanish, which is fair to middling.

I hope you have an enjoyable trip.

Everybody I met there spoke Spanish, even when I stayed in an apt in a neighborhood, as I could ask some store clerks what certain Catalan words meant in Spanish (which I know). I don't think anyone will care that much if you don't speak Catalan. Who knows, it's possible you'll find someone who doesn't speak Catalan, anyway, but would speak Spanish. I don't think everyone who lives in Barcelona speaks Catalan as their first tongue nor every day.

This is an interesting article about the use of Catalan versus Spanish in Barcelona, with the majority speaking Spanish to their parents, but Catalan to the kids (there has been a big push of Catalan language in schools, etc there)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Catalonia

It may be fun to learn a few phrases in Catalan, of course, I just thought that you may not be aware they speak Spanish there, a lot of people seem to think no one speaks or knows anything but Catalan there. Both are official languages.

Unfortunately, I can't answer your question, but wanted to applaud your effort. IME, it ALWAYS helps to at least try to be civil in the local language, no matter how fluently the locals speak a language I know. :-)

I agree, while not necessary, it's polite and respectful to learn a few phrases of the local language. Personally, I enjoy making an effort, even it means that I'm often corrected; it's all part of the learning process.

I've found You Tube helpful in terms of pronunciation.
This video of basic restaurant phrases is not by a native speaker, but someone who's studied català.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cG3PEv1G9s
These are by a native speaker, but the sound quality is not great.
https://www.youtube.com/user/E7HeL

This Catalan tutorial also seems good for basics:
http://ielanguages.com/catalan.html

There was a big rally for Catalan independence on Sunday (National Day of Catalonia)
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37334382

Thanks so much for all the suggestions and links. I agree that it is helpful and respectful to try to speak the local language(s).

I find it is also lots of fun...part of the travel experience. And I am not shy about being corrected; that's how I learn. (I am a retired educator of both children and adults...I know that adults are much more afraid of making a mistake than kids, so I have tried to resist the natural reluctance to speak the local language, no matter how clumsy my efforts.)

ssander

Everone of course speaks Spanish (or castillian as one would say here) in Barcelona, but it would of course always be welcomed if you know some frases in Catalan. I like the sound of "si us plau", por favor/please.