By Linda Hall • Published: 16 Sep 2021 • 11:24
: FOSSA BEACH: Lifesaver there told beachgoer to speak Spanish, not Valenciano Photo credit: Mark Sheffield
USE of Valenciano recently caused conflict in Calpe. Beachgoer Paula spoke Valenciano when she commented to a lifesaver on the Fossa beach that the foot-shower was not working. “In Spanish, madam!” he declared sharply in reply. When Paula explained that she had every right to address the lifesaver in Valenciano, reproaching him for his rudeness, he followed her shouting, “Sinverguenza! (shameless). En castellano! Que no tiene verguenza!” The Plataforma per la Llengua, an association that defends the use of Valenciano, has now lodged a complaint with the Drets Linguistics (Linguistic Rights) Office and asked Calpe town hall to fine the lifesaver. Citizens have the right to use Valenciano, the Plataforma said, and are entitled to be answered in that language by public sector employees. That includes concessionary companies including the lifesaving service contracted by Calpe town hall, the Plataforma pointed out.
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Originally from the UK, Linda is based in Valenca and is a reporter for The Euro Weekly News covering local news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com.
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