The withdrawal of existing media provision in Valencian and the current non-compliance with top-down policy has symbolic implications for language policy. It could be said that the present situation implies that those in a position of authority attach little importance to Valencian. Shohamy (2006: 110) observes that the absence of a language from the public space transmits a powerful message regarding its status and May (2004: 47-48) proposes that if a language is to shake off its minority status, a public presence alongside the majority language is important. However, present circumstances allow Castilian to dominate in the audio-visual sphere whilst
Valencian is marginalised. This study reveals that respondents are concerned about the current lack of audio-visual media in the local language; for example, respondent C4 (female, thirties, administrator) considers that the closure of RTVV is already having noticeable effects.
‘Porque desde que han quitado Canal 9 se nota un montón.’
(Since they closed Canal 9 it is very noticeable.)
Additionally, C30 (female, forties, teacher) stated that the lack of Valencian television was likely to have a negative impact in the long term.
‘Han tancat el vehicle per a promocionar [promoure] el valencià, fonamental.
El no tenir una televisió en la llengua [valenciana], a la llarga s’ha de notar moltísim.’
(They have closed the main means of promoting Valencian. Not having a television channel in the [Valencian] language, will have noticeable consequences in the long run.)
As mentioned earlier, a number of respondents commented that following the closure of RTVV and the decision to block the signal for Catalan television and radio, they have been left with no choice other than to consume audio-visual media in Castilian. This is illustrated by Figures 33 and 34, when respondents were asked which language they use to watch the television, and Figures 35 and 36, when respondents were asked in which language they listen to the radio. Although it is possible to watch Catalan television via satellite or online streaming and radio stations in the language are available online, these mediums are not readily available to all, nor are they necessarily as convenient as consuming audio-visual media via traditional means. Thus, questionnaire responses reveal that respondents mostly watch television and listen to the radio in Castilian. This is the most not necessarily their preferred language, but rather the only option available as suggested by respondent C14 (male, forties, lecturer).
‘Ara com no puc triar, en castellà.’
(No that I can’t choose, in Castilian.)
Similarly, respondent C10 explained that she is obliged to watch the television in Castilian. Although she did not watch Canal 9 regularly, she has lost the option to choose in which language to watch the television.
‘Castellà perquè no hi ha altre opció. Abans, és que jo no sóc de tele, no m’agrada massa. Abans també en castellà perquè el Canal 9, lo que veia era el oratge. És una cosa molt punctual i poc. Normalment en castellà perquè ací no tinc opció. M’agradava la TV3, però és que no la tenim.’
(Castilian because there is no other option. Before, it’s just that I’m not really one to watch the telly because I don’t like it very much. Before [RTVV’s closure]
in Castilian also because I only watched the weather on Canal 9. It’s something punctual and small. Normally in Castilian because I don’t have another option.
I liked TV3 but now we don’t have it.)
Figure 33: Language choice when watching television amongst respondents in Sant Vicent del Raspeig and La Vila Joiosa who answered the questionnaire in Valencian
Always Valencian, 1
The two languages equally, 4
Generally Castilian, 5 Always Castilian, 20
Always Valencian Generally Valencian The two languages equally Generally Castilian Always Castilian
Figure 34: Language choice when watching television amongst respondents in Sant Vicent del Raspeig and La Vila Joiosa who answered the questionnaire in Castilian
Figure 35: Language choice when listening to the radio amongst respondents in Sant Vicent del Raspeig and La Vila Joiosa who answered the questionnaire in Valencian
Always Valencian, 1
The two languages equally, 5
Generally Castilian, 7
Always Castilian, 16
Always Valencian Generally Valencian The two languages equally Generally Castilian Always Castilian The two
languages equally, 3
Always Castilian, 19
Always Valencian Generally Valencian The two languages equally Generally Castilian Always Castilian
Figure 36: Language choice when listening to the radio amongst respondents in Sant Vicent del Raspeig and La Vila Joiosa who answered the questionnaire in Castilian
Comments from respondents suggest that habitual users of Valencian are unhappy about the present lack of provision of the language on television and the removal of language choice. Some perceive Castilian television as being imposed upon them since the equal official status of the two languages is not reflected in the media sphere. Additionally, those who are learning Valencian, such as respondents C34 and D6 discussed earlier, are unhappy because they have lost a means of practising their new language. Arguing in favour of minority language media, Cormack (2005: 112) develops the notion that the right to free speech implies media provision in a minority language, since one should be able to express oneself in whichever language one chooses (de Swaan, 2001: 193). In this way, be proposes that minority language media provision is vital in order to meet human rights principles. At present, the situation in the Valencian Community does not satisfy guidelines set by the regional government and it also rejects the recommendations of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (see Grin, 2003: 214-215). Yet, in a context where a language is official, as is the case in the Valencian Community, it should not be necessary to employ a linguistic human rights argument in order to achieve minority language media provision since it should be in place
Always Valencian, 1
Generally Castilian, 2
Always Castilian, 19
Always Valencian Generally Valencian The two languages equally Generally Castilian Always Castilian
automatically (Cormack; 2005: 113). However, Valencian has now lost its position in the audio-visual sphere, which has consequences for language policy. Yet, as has been discussed, even when Valencian was available, there was concern about the perceived quality of provision.
In addition to commenting on their current and past viewing habits, as part of the questionnaire, respondents were asked in which language they would prefer to watch television (see Figures 37 and 38) and listen to the radio (see Figures 39 and 40), if they were given a free choice. This question provided an insight into language beliefs, since currently viewers have little freedom to choose their preferred language. Responses suggest there is a demand for Valencian language television, particularly amongst those who chose to answer the questionnaire in Valencian.
However, comments revealed that any future Valencian audio-visual media would need to be managed well, and provide programmes of interest to attract and maintain viewers. For example, respondent C9 (female, forties, teacher) commented that she did not watch Canal 9 very often since she did not think it to be a good quality channel; however, given the choice, she would prefer to watch television in Valencian.
‘En valencià si fora una televisió de qualitat, en valencià sí.’
(In Valencian, if it were a television channel of good quality, in Valencian yes.)
Overall, the language preference amongst those who answered the questionnaire in Castilian was for Castilian. However, respondents did acknowledge the importance of language choice and the consequences of giving Valencian a media presence.
Respondent D5 (female, twenties, unemployed/looks after family) explained that she would choose to watch television and listen to the radio in Castilian because it is the language that she is accustomed to, having grown up using it. However, she would like her son to be able to have the option to watch and listen in Valencian to help him pick up the language.
‘Hombre, a ver entre medio y medio porque también me gustariá para que el niño, para que coja el valenciano. Yo me da igual, pero el niño, no.’