Proposal to make Spanish the common language across Spain

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1. The bill would establish Spanish (Castilian) as the official, common and shared language of all public authorities in Spain, without removing the co-official status of other regional languages in their communities.
2. Students, their parents or legal guardians would be able to choose Spanish as the language of instruction at all levels of public and state-funded schools, and regional authorities would have to inform them of this right.
3. All public administrations would use Spanish in internal communications and with citizens. Notifications and administrative acts affecting people would always be notified in Spanish, without anyone having to request it, and official forms and signs would be written at least in Spanish.
4. For civil service exams, the tests would be conducted in Spanish. Knowing the regional co-official language could count as extra credit, but could only be required when the job truly needs it.
5. Place names (provinces, municipalities, streets) would always be set in Spanish, restoring traditional Spanish names that had been changed, while also allowing the regional language version.
6. In the courts, notarial documents, state registries, and the Congress and Senate, Spanish would be used, with the regional language also allowed. In private dealings, everyone could freely use the language they choose, and language fines would be banned: any penalty for the language used in private relations would be void.

Who it affects

• Students and families in communities with a co-official language: They could choose Spanish as the language of instruction, and authorities would have to guarantee that right.
• Citizens dealing with public administrations: They would receive notifications, forms and signs at least in Spanish, without having to ask.
• Civil service applicants and public employees: Civil service exams would be conducted in Spanish; the regional language could only be required if the job needs it.
• Businesses and individuals: They could freely use any language in private relations and could not be penalized for it.
• Courts and notaries: Proceedings would be handled in Spanish if the parties choose it, and documents with effects outside the region would be translated into Spanish.

Words worth knowing

Lengua vehicular

The main language used to teach classes at school.

Cooficialidad

The situation in which a region has one or more official languages alongside Spanish.

Topónimo

The official name of a place: province, municipality, street, etc.

Multa lingüística

A fine imposed by a public authority on someone who does not use the language it requires.

Lengua de ámbito autonómico

A language official only within one autonomous region, such as Catalan, Galician or Basque.

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