Expats Go Home? Stay. We'll explain. Every week, Bianca, an Italian who has lived in Barcelona for six years, and Pau, a teacher born and raised in Sants, take one thing about Catalonia that newcomers never quite get and explain it with a laugh: why your neighbour says *adéu* in the lift, what a human tower needs from you, why the baker answered in Spanish, and the news every Catalan is talking about that you missed.
Each episode ends with a weird Catalan expression translated literally, a few phrases to say out loud, and a dare for the week. For anyone who moved here and wants to belong, and for every Catalan who wants to send it to them.
An AllTuner Originals production.
Episodes
-
Ep. 1PILOT: They switched to Spanish15:18You open your mouth in Catalan, and before you've finished ordering a coffee the barista has switched to Spanish, or straight to English. In the first episode, Bianca and Pau take on the moment every newcomer knows: why so many Catalans switch language the second they hear an accent, why it usually isn't rejection, and how to get them to stay in Catalan with you. With the numbers behind the habit, Pau's own confession, the first week of the switch counter, Bianca's first dare, and the expression of the week, tocar el dos.
La frase: say them out loud
- Parlem en català, si us plau? Shall we speak Catalan, please?
- Estic aprenent català. I'm learning Catalan.
- Més a poc a poc, si us plau. More slowly, please.
- Gràcies per la paciència. Thank you for your patience.
- Jo toco el dos. I'm off.
The expression: tocar el dos, literally "to touch the two": to leave, to clear off. Bonus: toca el dos, que el tres ja és fora.
The dare: one week of morning coffees in Catalan, at the same café, without switching back yourself.
Mentioned in this episode
- Catalan courses for adults: CPNL
- Language pairs with a volunteer: Voluntariat per la llengua
- Plataforma per la Llengua and Òmnium Cultural
Expats Go Home? is an AllTuner Originals production.