Evolution and Determinants of Language Attitudes Among Catalan Adolescents

This comunication focuses on language attitudes of teenagers as a cultural
integration indicator between the two major linguistic groups in Catalonia (Catalan and
Castilian). The Catalan case is of great sociolinguistic interest due to its distinctive
features: the similar ethnolinguistic vitality enjoyed for both languages and the
widespread bilingualism that common schooling has encouraged. Specifically, this
study analyzes linguistic integration from an intergroup relations perspective, based on
the situated identity approach and sociocontextual model of second language
acquisition. The empirical study focuses on the evolution of language attitude towards
Catalan and Castilian based on a Catalan student panel sample. A longitudinal
analysis was done, through the identification of typified trajectories that allow the
identification of the main change trends and their relationship with other linguistic,
identity and sociodemographic variables.