Language and school: where are we now?

"Throughout the entire legislature, the only measure from Vox's program that has prospered in the Balearic Islands has been allowing minors to attend bullfights." Olé.

The phrase is magnificent. At first glance, it seems like the scathing description some left-wing commentator has given of the pathetic record of the far right in the Balearic Islands and its clear inability to implement its principles and tenets. Basically, mud and dandruff, to put it simply.

But no. We owe the phrase to the illustrious Sergio Rodríguez, Vox deputy, who, in parliamentary proceedings, wanted to certify in the House's official record the absolute futility of his political action.

It's an excellent summary of yet another episode of the mandate's linguistic tribulation: smoke, smoke, smoke. A lot of unhealthy obsession brought to the speaker's podium time and time again, but when push comes to shove, nothing. This is called impotence.

The new farce stemmed from Vox's presentation of a fanciful bill that supposedly would have involved the demolition of the school language system and that directly attacked the Law of linguistic normalization, the Decree of minimum standards and the autonomy of the school.

It was already known beforehand that nothing would come of it because the PP had announced its negative vote, something that is certainly no small matter. But the photo finish It was even more amusing because the proposal only garnered four votes from the increasingly dwindling far-right group. Two former Vox deputies—Idoia Ribas and Agustín Buades—moreover, were kind enough to explain their negative vote: they consider the proposed wording an "unfinished and ambiguous legal mess." And, as good experts on the subject, when they talk about "messes," we have to give them full credence.

On that note, the PP further complicated matters by presenting its counterproposal the day before the debate. This counterproposal, which will have to be debated later, guarantees to prolong this new episode of linguistic gastritis: explicitly including Castilian Spanish as the language of instruction in the LEIB (Basque Language Law). They also changed "island varieties of the Catalan language" to "'Use and dissemination' of the insular varieties of the Catalan language." In short...

Vox didn't like the PP's feint at all, calling it "betrayal" and dramatically shouting: "What's the formula so that tomorrow I can demand that my child study 50% in Spanish at a public school?" Brutal.

At this point, it would be wise to return to reality and assess, after so much toxicity and demagoguery, exactly where we stand. It's not very complicated and basically boils down to this: the Balearic Islands' school language model remains unchanged; no school can conduct less than 50% of its instruction in Catalan; all can reach 100% in Catalan; the decision rests with each school through its Language Policy Committee (PLC); Catalan is the normal language of expression in educational and extracurricular activities, as well as in school communications and administration. Easy, right? In short, a lot of fanfare, but we're exactly where we were.

Predictably, the only minimally noticeable—though not relevant—change will be the explicit inclusion of Spanish as the language of instruction, which is quite obvious given what the LEIB itself states a little further down: "The Spanish language, as a language of teaching and learning, may also be used by decision of each educational center." Obvious, isn't it? In what other language are the rest of the subjects taught in schools that do not plan to reach 100% Catalan instruction according to their PLC?

Once again, it is the astute Sergio Rodríguez who has cleverly captured this sentiment, offering a lucid assessment of the PP's initiative: "An empty change, devoid of substance, that leads nowhere," "A publicity stunt," "A scam"... Exactly, Mr. Rodríguez, you said it. All the PP does on this issue is talk for the sake of talk, without the slightest tangible effect. And they deceive you time and time again. They are alone, they are not making progress, and they will not.

But we must understand each other: this constant poisoning is not harmless and ends up transmitting a dangerous narrative of defeat and a false sense of regression in the school language model to schools and society. Discouragement and disorientation are inherently lethal, requiring no effective ammunition.

That's why progressive agents and forces should find a way to counter the false sense of regression that Vox wants to instill in us. Or, at the very least, they should try not to amplify their sick rhetoric even further. Catastrophism and melodrama aren't always the best option. I'd save the cavalry for a better occasion.