Linguistic Roots

Catalan developed from the Vulgar Latin spoken in the Roman Spain.

The Iberian peninsula has been invaded several times since then:

The Visigoths (414 AD)
The Arabs (711-717 AD)

They both invaded the entire of Spain, but their languages had a little impact on Catalan.

However,

In 778 the Franks of Charlemagne conquered what is modern day Catalonia. The Marca Hispanica (Spanish mark) as they called it.

The local 'Vulgar Latin' evolved in close relation with the language of Charlemagne's Franks (Occitan) So, Catalan was born!!

Catalan differs from Occitan LESS than from Spanish!!

Catalan incorporated many Germanic words due to the Franks!

Germanic: Blao, Laith, Lothr, Raubon, Rauba, Reiks, Sape
Catalan: Blau, lleig, Lloure, Robar, Ropa, Ric, Sabo
English: Blue, Ugly, Free, To Rob, Clothes, Rich, Soap
French: Bleu, Laid, libre, Derober, Robe, Riche, Savon
German: Blau, häss(lich), Frei, Ausrauben, Robe, Reich, Seife

Also the words for many everyday concepts, in Catalan, are more similar to French and Occitan than Spanish!

cadira-Catalan
cadièra-Occitan
chaire-French
chair-English
silla- Spanish

taula-Catalan
taula-Occitan
table-French
mesa-Spanish
table-English

finestra-Catalan
fenèstra-Occitan
fenêtre-French
ventana-Spanish
window-English


terra-Catalan
tèrra-Occitan
terre-French
piso-Spanish
ground-English

oncle-Catalan
oncle-Occitan
oncle-French
tío-Spanish
uncle-English

cosí-Catalan
cosin-Occitan
cousin-French
primo-Spanish
cousin-English

nebot-Catalan
nebot-Occitan
neveu-French
sobrino-Spanish
nephew-English

net-Catalan
net-Occitan
net-French
limpio-Spanish
clean-English

brut-Catalan
brut-Occitan
sale-French
sucio-Spanish
dirty-English


Thus showing it's not only the culture that separates Catalonia from Castillian Spain... their roots grow from very different places.

John x

researched on: http://www.orbilat.com/Languages/Catalan/Catalan.html