Learning Catalan for a person who doesn't intend to stay in Catalonia to live for a long period is kind of pointless, especially for those fluent in Spanish. As many people have pointed out, all Catalan-speaking population is fluent in both languages, so you will be understood perfectly.

However, Catalan is a very important part of the culture in that part of Spain, so in order to fit in in the long term one should consider learning it. It shouldn't be too difficult when you have a solid grasp of Spanish. At least you should get used to understand it, as in some situations it has replaced Spanish completely, especially in rural areas.

Be aware that there are a lot of political tensions in Spain regarding the situation of Catalonia, and the Catalan language is perceived by some Spanish people as a sign of identity of those who want that region to become independent. It's a sensitive issue that you should be aware of. It's not usual but some people will refuse to answer to you if you speak Spanish, or will answer back in Catalan. However, I believe this is not normally the case with foreign people.

As a Spanish person with Catalan roots and with knowledge of the language, I find it sad to see how the language is used as a weapon by both separatists and unionists. Languages should be means of communication, nothing more nothing less.

Hi Joiel, as a Catalan native speaker from Mallorca I couldn't ignore this interesting topic that you started here. I have never lived in Barcelona but all the answers you have received make much sense. I really liked the comments these people wrote and wanted only to add some lines to this question.

In my opinion you have only to show empathy and make the effort to try to understand some basic conversations. It would be great if you learn some sentences and you are able to use them in some useful situations.

I totally agree with Sergio when he says that language never should be used as a wheapon to confront people.

I really love Castellano and I use it every day in my every day life but we have in Spain four official languages and I think we should be proud of all them.

Gràcies i molta sort en la teva estància a Barcelona!

If you speak Spanish and French and a little Portuguese it shouldn’t be too hard for you to at least understand which may be enough. I think Sergio’s comment is very accurate. A lot of foreigners in Barcelona only speak Spanish and get by perfectly well (although you could also probably get by only with English in the centre of the city) but you will miss out on a part of life here.  In smaller towns outside of Barcelona, and in some social circles in Barcelona too,  although people will speak to you in Spanish you won’t understand their conversations which may only be in Catalan.

Also as Sergio said you need to be careful as it is a delicate question. My experience is a lot is just education. If someone rudely insists on their right to speak Spanish because they are in Spain then they are going to get into problems. However if you learn a few introductory expressions and ask politely then most people should be ok and don’t expect you to learn to speak well if you are only staying a few years. As Sergio says for various reasons you will find a few people who will keep speaking Catalan, again you have to be diplomatic about how to handle it. However my experience is the opposite and as a foreigner it is much more likely that when you try to speak Catalan people will automatically answer you in Spanish.

If you are planning to stay a short time I would recommend learning at least a few basic sentences, be polite and patient and show that you are prepared to make an effort to understand. If you want to stay a long time, although not essential, knowing Catalan will help you integrate, understand the place and get more out of your stay. You will find Catalan speakers are very appreciative of foreigners who make the effort to use the language. I learnt both and I found Catalan slightly easier for that reason.

Hi Joiel,

I'm not a speaker of Catalan, but I went to Barcelona two years ago and was surprised by how common Catalan is. All the ads, many street signs. I was in a metro station waiting for the train and an announcement played. It was only in Catalan, the message board was also only in Catalan. I had to Google the train station I was in to see what was going on. It turned out that there was a train worker strike and all trains would be delayed by hours that day. If I hadn't have checked Google I would have been sitting there for quite some time. It would definitely be to your benefit to study up on it, if not to connect with the locals but also navigate more easily :)

Best wishes!

Virtually everyone who speaks Catalan is also fluent in Castellano. Since you're already fluent in Castellano, you can communicate with anyone in Barcelona, one on one, without learning Catalan.

However, if you want to fit smoothly into group conversations, or go to the theatre, or attend classes at the university, you'll need to at least understand Catalan. I have a Spanish friend who lives in Barcelona who understands Catalan but prefers not to speak it. She does all of the above -- theatre, groups, university classes -- by responding in Castellano even when others speak Catalan.

I spent two years in Catalonia and gave up trying to speak the language -- but that was 20 years ago. Now you hear it more and more every day, especially in areas outside Barcelona. Given that you're already fluent in two Romance languages and familiar with a third, you'll probably understand most of Catalan after just a short time of exposure.