Catalan is not preferential 2

Update:

On the street in Barcelona Spanish is the lingua franca. This is now true even in the historic Catalan neighborhoods like Gracia and Sarrià. Spanish now has the advantage despite the afforementioned laws enforcing/imposing Catalan in the government, the public and private sectors, the media and public schooling. Most of the people in Barcelona are not driven by nationalism, language or culture more than in any other city in Spain. There is ambivalence to speaking in Catalan or Spanish. I heard quite often "lo mismo da", more or less "who cares". This of course is in stark contrast to the regional parliament that promotes rigourously the language and independence of Catalonia.

As for TV, there are at least 10 spanish channels for 1 catalan. Pretty much the same for the press, books, films, video games and music.... The reason is simple: they come into Catalunya from Madrid, where there is, of course, no language rules or quotas.

All in all I have mixed feelings, indeed. I celebrate the openness of the Catalan people, the visible lack of nationalism, the solidarity with the rest of Spain, and the continued use of Spanish. I was fearing a very different scenario. However, I am sad that Catalan continues to decline. I love Catalan and speak it pretty fluently. I can certainly see how its use is diminishing. I'm sure this is the reason for the rigid laws they have passed and the calls for independence by the nationalists in parliament. This is obviously the wrong way to promote Catalan. Outside Catalonia, Catalan is seen as the agressor. In Barcelona, it also contributes to the creation of this atmosphere of "Catalan, Spanish, whatever!" In reality, there is a serious threat to Catalan's survival. A recent survey indicated that only 33% speak it daily. Find another way. Strong arming has failed.
Rontay Merquiades