PILOT: They switched to Spanish

Expats Go Home?

1 hour ago 15:18 Made with the help of AI The voices are AI-generated. The script was written with the help of AI. Music and sound effects were created with the help of AI. The show notes were written with the help of AI. The artwork was created with the help of AI.

You 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.

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0:00 Cold open
0:47 Expats Go Home?
0:53 The story
5:43 While you were out
8:39 Both ways
11:14 The expression
12:31 La frase
14:08 The dare
14:44 Sign-off

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.