The Catalan as a mother tongue faces important challenges on the islands of Ibiza and Formentera, as reflected in the Youth Survey of the Balearic Islands.. In these two islands, only 12.2% and 14.3% of young people, respectively, consider Catalan as their initial language.
A landscape marked by linguistic diversity
The predominance of Spanish and other languages in Ibiza and Formentera is still evident, reflecting the cultural diversity and migratory dynamics of the islands. In Ibiza, 48.6% of young people identify Spanish as their initial language, while 32.3% combine the use of other languages, including foreign languages.
On Formentera, although the percentage of Catalan as a mother tongue is slightly higher (14.3%), Spanish continues to be the main language for the majority of young people, consolidating its dominant role on both islands.
Comparison with other islands
In Menorca and the Part Forana de Mallorca, Catalan maintains a greater weight as an initial language. In Menorca, 7.7% of young people declare it to be their mother tongue, while in the Part Forana de Mallorca the percentage is 26.5%. Although the differences are not abysmal, they reflect a greater cultural and linguistic rootedness of Catalan in these regions, possibly related to a more stable population and less influence of mass tourism.
Why these differences?
The tourist environment and the constant migrations have transformed the linguistic landscape in Ibiza and Formentera, limiting the intergenerational transmission of Catalan. In addition, the use of Spanish as the main language of communication in labor and educational sectors reinforces its position, leaving Catalan in the background in many social contexts. However, the current figures still show a solid basis for working on its recovery.
Measures for the future
The Councilor for Families and Social Affairs, Catalina Cirer, stressed that these data will be essential to design the III Strategic Plan for Youth.
This project will include measures to promote the education and use of Catalan among young people in the Balearic Islands, ensuring its preservation as a central element of cultural heritage. The councilor stressed the importance of promoting a more inclusive society, in which linguistic diversity is an asset and not a barrier.
