Notes on language and migratory systems in the Catalan speaking territories

Abstract

From a demographic perspective, this paper provides some notes on the relation between language and migration in the Catalan territories, from the acknowledgment of the complexity and heterogeneity of migratory experiences in the diverse regions. Using the main statistical data sources for the analysis of flows and stocks in foreign-born population, we illustrate the evolution and the socio-demographic profile of immigrant population and detail the territorial distribution of this population, which is closely linked to the labour, tourist and residential characteristics of the territory. To conclude we consider the possible implications of this diversity of migratory realities on Catalan language, pointing to the importance of considering the new immigrant reality in forthcoming surveys and investigations.

Key words: migrations, Catalan language, territory, demography, diversity.