This petition calls for the inclusion of Catalan for English speakers as a language course on Duolingo. Catalan is a minority language, threatened by the encroachments of Spanish. In Catalan-speaking regions, Spanish is often the default choice for foreign learners due to its larger speaker base and the greater availability of learning resources, pushing Catalan further into the margins. Duolingo has a unique opportunity to help shift this trend. Please continue reading for more information on our appeal.

Catalan, spoken by over 10 million people worldwide, is the primary language in the region of Catalonia in Spain, including Barcelona, and the official language of Andorra. With the number of foreign nationals in Barcelona rising by 10.4% since 2023, they now make up a quarter of the city’s total population (Ajuntament de Barcelona, 2024). This expanding international community underscores the urgent need for accessible Catalan language resources. Although Duolingo offers Catalan for Spanish speakers, this approach forces learners to prioritise Spanish first, reinforcing it as the ‘default’ option. Since many Catalans speak Spanish, visitors can navigate major cities without needing Catalan, which perpetuates its marginalisation. Pressure is increasing for the Catalan language and heritage.

This is where Duolingo can make a meaningful difference. The platform’s mission to democratise language learning aligns with the need to support minority languages like Catalan. This further aligns with policies from the Government of Catalonia, such as The Linguistic Planning Programme, which aims to internationalise Catalan, expand its availability to diverse communities, boost its digital presence, and ensure it is accessible to all, regardless of linguistic background. Duolingo’s involvement could amplify these efforts, benefiting both individual learners and the broader Catalan community.

Duolingo already offers courses for smaller languages like Danish and Hebrew, as well as endangered ones like Welsh and Navajo. It is worth noting that the platform even provides courses for fictional languages like High Valyrian and Klingon. While these offerings add to Duolingo's appeal, the platform's real-world global impact could be used to support Catalan, a language facing real-world challenges. Additionally, immigration trends in Catalonia reflect a potential user base, indicating Catalan as a potentially profitable addition to the app.

By signing this petition, we urge Duolingo to help preserve and promote Catalan by creating an English-to-Catalan language course.

Reference:

Ajuntament de Barcelona. (2024). «One of every four people in Barcelona is now a foreign national», Barcelona International Welcome. https://www.barcelona.cat/internationalwelcome/en/news/one-of-every-four-people-in-barcelona-is-now-a-foreign-national-1408362