El Petit Príncep – in Catalan.
Catalan is a Romance language spoken primarily in the Catalonia region of northeastern Spain, as well as in the Balearic Islands, Valencia (where it is known as Valencian), the eastern part of Aragon (known as Franja de Ponent), and the French department of Pyrénées-Orientales (known as Northern Catalonia). It is one of the official languages of Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and Valencia, and it has special status in some other regions.
Catalan evolved from Vulgar Latin, much like other Romance languages such as Spanish, French, and Italian. It developed in the region of Catalonia around the 9th and 10th centuries and has since evolved into a distinct language with its own unique characteristics. It has several regional dialects, with the major ones being Eastern Catalan (spoken in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and parts of Aragon), Valencian (spoken in the Valencian Community), and Northern Catalan (spoken in Northern Catalonia, France). While there are some differences in vocabulary and pronunciation, speakers of different dialects can generally understand each other.
In Spain, Catalan is co-official with Spanish in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and Valencia. It is also recognised as a “historical language” in Aragon’s Franja de Ponent region. In these regions, Catalan is used in education, government, media, and public life. However, language policies have been a subject of political debate, particularly in relation to the Valencian variety.
