Galician seeks revitalization with a plan to amend the language policy of Feijóo

A new comprehensive language policy aimed at revitalizing the Galician language has been unveiled by regional authorities in Galicia, Spain. The document, known as the new General Plan for the Normalization of the Galician Language (PXNLG), was presented last Wednesday and includes over 300 pages with more than 700 measures designed to reverse declining trends affecting the language. The plan focuses heavily on education and seeks to address criticisms surrounding the previous administration's linguistic policies under President Alberto Núñez Feijóo, which have been accused of fostering negative perceptions of Galician among younger generations. The PXNLG outlines several key strategies for revitalizing Galician, including reinforcing intergenerational transmission of the language, promoting its use among youth and in leisure activities, and encouraging its adoption within immigrant communities. The document repeatedly emphasizes the need to dismantle prejudices against Galician, a sentiment that studies by the Royal Galician Academy (RAG) and the Galician Cultural Council (CCG) suggest were exacerbated by the linguistic policies implemented since Feijóo took office in 2009. These policies reportedly contributed to a perception of Galician as being imposed rather than naturally spoken. The plan explicitly calls for overcoming stereotypes and negative perceptions associated with Galician, stating that such biases can lead to social exclusion and discrimination. It recommends targeted communication campaigns aimed at different family types, focusing specifically on dismantling specific prejudices such as the belief that Galician should not be spoken with children or authority figures, or the association of the language with rural areas or lower socioeconomic status. The PXNLG urges the Galician public television service, CSAG (formerly CRTVG), and other media outlets to play a greater role in promoting the use of Galician in families. It suggests creating programs, series, and contests that enhance the self-esteem of Galician speakers while attracting non-speakers through passive language learning content and positive role models. Potential collaborations with local YouTubers, influencers, educators, and cultural promoters are proposed to create engaging family-friendly content. The document also recommends raising awareness among families about the benefits of their descendants knowing Galician, emphasizing the importance of early acquisition of the language as a foundation for future multilingual capabilities. It further demands that all public services offered to families be available in Galician. To promote the active use of Galician in family settings, the PXNLG proposes the creation of an observatory to monitor changes in the language’s usage within households. Additionally, it suggests incorporating clauses regarding linguistic availability into public contracts and subsidies. The plan also advocates for ensuring that public sector staff working with families are proficient in Galician. Beyond educational institutions, the PXNLG aims to increase the presence of Galician in childhood contexts. Specific actions are outlined for environments outside formal education, aiming to integrate the language more deeply into daily life and community interactions. This approach reflects a broader strategy to embed Galician in both private and public spheres, ensuring its continued relevance and vitality in contemporary Galician society.