What is Catalan?' 'Why, the language of Catalonia - of the islands, of the whole of the Mediterranean coast down to Alicante and beyond. Of Barcelona. Of Lerida. All the richest part of the peninsula.' 'You astonish me. I had no notion of it. Another language, sir? But I dare say it is much the same thing - a putain, as they say in France?' 'Oh no, nothing of the kind - not like at all. A far finer language. More learned, more literary. Much nearer the Latin. And by the by, I believe the word is patois, sir, if you will allow me.