Comment from César
Time: August 31, 2005, 7:49 pm

Marina, guapa, te tengo que tirar cariñosamente de las orejas. “Ses illetes” significa Las islitas, no seis islitas.

Los de la isla te dirán que su idioma es el formenter o a lo mejor mallorquí, pero raramente te dirán que ellos hablan catalán. Un ejemplo claro de la diferencia entre el catalán y el balear es que el artículo la es “sa” en balear y “la” en catalán y el plural es “ses” y “les” respectivamente.

En realidad se puede decir que es la misma lengua -como el valenciano- porque se entienden entre ellos, pero las diferencias dialectales son muy fuertes porque la lengua no tuvo un uso culto durante muchos siglos.

Entonces para unificar las diferentes variedades del idioma se escogió la lengua culta de Barcelona para que fuera enseñada en Cataluña y Baleares, pero no en Valencia que se enseña lo que allí oficialmente se llama “llengua valenciana” porque los valencianos, aunque en privado te pueden decir que su lengua es la misma que la valenciana, lo que no quiere la mayoría es formar parte de los “paisos catalans” y claudicar ante el imperialismo anexionista e independentista de los nacionalistas catalanes (esto último es opinión mía y siento introducir la política en donde a lo mejor no pertenece).

Comment from jim w
Time: September 1, 2005, 10:44 pm

I could use some Formentera, oh yes. I have fond memories of Majorca aeons ago.

Still enjoying your podcasts very much. Possibly the early part of 14 was less distinct than it could have been? It’s very noticeable when you move about relative to the microphone. Nothing that prevents me looking forward to the next one though…

Comment from Ben
Time: September 3, 2005, 10:29 am

Hi Jim, glad to know you are still listening. Still getting used to the new microphones, so that may be it…
Ben

Comment from Mike
Time: September 5, 2005, 2:11 pm

hi ben,

just got myself one of those them there ipods and downloaded your latest podcast on formentera.

really enjoyable, especially as i have a madrilena girlfriend myself (de carabachel).

been dying to get to formentera for a long while- can you recommend anywhere good to stay, as we’re havinh trouble finding a place? cheap, homely and relaxing would be great- more casa than hotel!

hope you get the rain you’re looking for in madrid this september, just got back from there this weekend and it was h.o.t as ever…!

keep on with everything creative- oh, and any tips for getting work in madridthat’s not teaching english for an intermediate speaker very welcome!

mike

Comment from Philip
Time: September 6, 2005, 12:28 am

This was very relaxing! Thank you for making it! I needed it!
One day…. one day……

p

Comment from JH, Businessman
Time: September 6, 2005, 12:03 pm

Cesar, for gods sake, relax. Its only a small detail on language - what does it matter?

Comment from Tyler
Time: September 8, 2005, 10:25 pm

Listened to #14 today in the car on the way to work. The sounds of the beach were very relaxing and sounds like you had a great trip. We’re venturing from Sicily to Spain next week hopefully- too late to make it to formentera though … que pena.

keep up the great work!

Comment from Tony
Time: September 23, 2005, 8:59 am

Hi Ben,
Been listening to your podcasts now for 2 months…..enjoy them alot. Was in Spain last Sept. 04. Only two days in Barcelona as part of a whirlwind tour of Europe. I want to come back to see more of Spain and also spend some time in Portugal. I hope to do this next year. It is so enjoyable hearing from both you and your wife and your observations on the cultural differences. I, like the former comment (Tyler), listened to your podcast on the way to work and found it very relaxing…..keep up the good work.

Tony
Michigan, USA

Comment from Tom
Time: September 25, 2005, 2:33 am

I was looking forward to the photos of large groups of beautiful italian women after listening to that podcast… kind of a disappointment, although maybe if I can dig out my magnifying glass…

Comment from Ben
Time: September 25, 2005, 11:12 pm

Sorry, no great pics, Marina wasn’t too happy about me pointing my camera at the Italian girls….