Paco Rodriguez
Ana Pontón, spokesperson of the BNG, and José Ramón Gómez Besteiro, of the PSdeG, are betting on the return to the Linguistic Normalization Plan approved unanimously by the Galician Parliament, which they consider relegated by the decree on multilingualism of the Xunta led by Feijoo
November 17, 2024 . Updated at 2.34pm
Thousands of people gathered this Sunday morning in Santiago to demand a new direction in language policy that can halt the decline of the Galician language. A language that, according to the latest data from the Galician Institute of Statistics, a third of children under 15 cannot speak. Summoned by We want the Galego platformthe participants wanted to highlight a extreme emergency situation which crosses the language due to its loss of weight in communication, both at a social and institutional level.
They attended the event, which filled the Praza da Quintana in Compostela Anna PontoneBNG spokesperson and opposition leader, e José Ramón Gómez Besteirogeneral secretary of the PSdeG. Both agreed on the need to do so
The president of Table for linguistic normalization, Marcos MaceiraI made one call to hopeunderlining that every time the Galician people have mobilized, the society has managed to arrest the decline and loss of speakers. However, he showed his no confidence in the pact proposed by the Government, given the precedents of the last 15 years and warned that the situation is serious.
To reverse the plight of the Galician language in society, Maceira put forward three proposals: establishing plenary sessions of Queremos Galego throughout the Galician community, “reaffirming society’s commitment” to its language and summon citizens to a new event on February 23rd —Rosalía de Castro Day— in the Praza do Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela.
This Sunday, with a fun and festive event, which he attended Jorge Souto and with the performance of tanjugueirasthe platform wanted to break with the classic demonstration format and draw attention to the situation of the Galician language in Galicia through what they called “open assembly”.
During her participation in that event, the national spokesperson of the BNG, Ana Pontón, assured that this Sunday “is a day to reclaim the proud to have my own language“, but also “denounce that the Galician language is one of these critical situation». «Os qeleven years of Galician-phobic politicspolicies against Galician, put the future of our language at stake”, stated the nationalist leader, while underlining that “It is possible to change or change the direction of politics what the Xunta is doing, starting with that shameful decree – the one known as the decree on multilingualism – which transformed Galician into a second-class language”.
Nationalist politics remembered the government he presided over Alfonso Rueda that it is more necessary than ever “to apply the great agreement around the language that already exists in this country, which is the General linguistic standardization plan».
For his part, the general secretary of the Galician socialists, José Ramón Gómez Besteiro, accused the national president of the PP and former president of the Xunta, Alberto Núñez Feijoo, and his successor at the helm of the regional executive, Alfonso Rueda, of “taking the Galician situation it finds itself in now, as a minority language.” an alliance between all to change the linguistic emergency situation and bring back the “Galician”. regain momentum as a language that unites us to everyone.”
Filed in:
Linguistic standardization José Ramón Gómez Besteiro Ana Pontón Tanxugueiras
What are some effective strategies for promoting the Galician language among younger generations?
Time.news Interview: The Future of the Galician Language with Ana Pontón
Interviewer: Good afternoon, Ana Pontón. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent demonstrations in Santiago and the pressing issues facing the Galician language.
Ana Pontón: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important topic.
Interviewer: The demonstration, organized by the ”We want the Galego” platform, attracted thousands of participants who are concerned about the decline of the Galician language. Can you elaborate on what you believe are the main factors contributing to this situation?
Ana Pontón: Absolutely. The main issue lies within the language policies enacted by the Xunta led by Feijoo. The current decree on multilingualism has significantly undermined the Linguistic Normalization Plan that was previously put in place. As a result, Galician is losing its presence in both social and institutional contexts.
Interviewer: That’s concerning. The recent statistics indicate that a third of children under 15 cannot speak Galician. How do you believe we can address this alarming trend?
Ana Pontón: It truly is alarming. To reverse this trend, we need a multifaceted approach—educational institutions must prioritize Galician and ensure it’s taught effectively. We also need societal commitment, as highlighted in our demonstration. Mobilizing the community is essential, and we are calling for more public engagement through initiatives like plenary sessions and future demonstrations.
Interviewer: You mentioned the importance of community mobilization. Marcos Maceira, president of the Table for Linguistic Normalization, emphasized that when the Galician people have mobilized in the past, they have succeeded in reversing decline. What role do you see for the citizens in this?
Ana Pontón: Citizens play a crucial role. The strength of a language lies in its speakers and practitioners. We need to foster a sense of pride and identity around the Galician language, and community events are a perfect way to achieve that. On February 23rd, in honor of Rosalía de Castro Day, we’re planning a massive assembly in Praza do Obradoiro. It’s about celebrating our language and culture while rallying for political change.
Interviewer: The demonstration featured performances and aimed to break away from traditional protest formats. Why was this approach chosen?
Ana Pontón: We wanted to create a positive and festive atmosphere that also raised awareness about the plight of the Galician language. By incorporating music and cultural expressions, we can engage more people and invite them to join us in this crucial battle. It’s essential to show that advocating for our language can be an uplifting experience rather than just a somber protest.
Interviewer: Looking ahead, what measures do you believe the government should take to support the Galician language?
Ana Pontón: First and foremost, they need to revert to the previous Linguistic Normalization Plan, which was democratically approved and focuses on promoting Galician across all sectors. Additionally, there should be increased funding for education in Galician and cultural initiatives that celebrate our heritage. Lastly, it’s vital to involve speakers of all generations in the process, ensuring sustainable practices for the future.
Interviewer: It seems there’s a lot of work to be done. What message would you like to leave our audience with regarding this issue?
Ana Pontón: I hope to inspire our audience to engage with and advocate for the Galician language. It’s not just about preserving a language; it’s about preserving our identity and culture. We need everyone to take pride in our language and actively contribute to its revival. Remember, every voice counts!
Interviewer: Thank you so much, Ana Pontón, for your insights today. We hope to see positive changes for the Galician language in the near future.
Ana Pontón: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure!
