Regionosity/Nationality/Languageality:
The Valencian Language Academy has sided with the Spanish Language
academy and laughed at the regional politicians' claim that Valencian
is a separate language from Catalan. And at their sophistry aimed at
proving this. Language, they say, should not be used as a political
tool. Possibly true but honoured in Spain more in the breach than in
the observance. Especially - and perhaps ironically - in Cataluña.
Expect the Valencian academicians to be accused of being lackeys of
the Barcelona government.
Dogged
by domestic difficulties, the Spanish government seems determined to
stoke up the Gibraltar distraction so as to prove its Spanish
credentials. Following gun-firing Guardia Civil members violating sea
space, we now have fighter jets violating air space. All very
transparent and pathetic. But possibly effective. Who was it said
"There's nowt as thick as the general public"?
I
touched on the possibility of Spain changing its ridiculous horario
the other day. Well, here's The Local with a commentary on this theme
and a riposte to Der Spiegel - Spain moves to a different
rhythm to the rest of Europe with people working, eating and going to
bed later than anywhere else. In The Local's latest opinion piece, we
ask whether its time for a change to the country's habits.
The
mangling of English: Some bright spark has had the idea to call a
hotel Hotel Room. In Pontevedra at least. It's close to the
station, a little out of town, and charges 75-85 euros for a double
room, as opposed to, say, 62 for the Rias Bajas right in the
centre. But the most eye-catching feature of Hotel Room is
that its restaurant is "located at 10
minute's walk of the hotel." I give it a year.
Two
things have brought home this week the fact that summer really did
arrive last week. Firstly, we're in the throes of a heat wave
subjecting us to temperatures of 30+, which are far too high for
Brits and Galicians alike. And the second thing was the arrival of 3
Economist magazines all at once. One is 4 days late and the
other two are 11 and 18 days late respectively. I wonder what goes
through the mind of the people who chuck magazines in a corner during
the summer months. If anything.
Finally
. . . A guy was recently stopped for driving at 160kph in a 120kph
zone. Turned out to be the Head of Gerona's Traffic Department on his
way to a conference on road safety. At least he had the decency to
resign.
No comments:
Post a Comment