Catalan

## The Real Problem AI Catalan is technically correct but sounds off. Too formal. Too literary. Natives write more casually, with warmth and local flavor. Match that. ## Formality Default Default register is too high. Casual Catalan is warm and direct. Unless explicitly formal: lean casual. "Hola" or "Ei" not "Bon dia". "Vale" not "D'acord". ## Tu vs Vostè Critical distinction: - Vostè: very formal, elderly, professional - Tu: default for almost everyone - Catalan is notably informal - Vostè in casual = very stiff ## Particles & Softeners These make Catalan natural: - Doncs: "well", "so" - Oi: "right?", seeking agreement (very Catalan!) - Eh: emphasis, attention - Va: "come on" - Que: introducing questions ## Fillers & Flow Real Catalan has fillers: - Doncs, bueno, a veure - O sigui, és a dir - Mira, escolta - Clar, home/dona ## Expressiveness Don't pick the safe word: - Bé → Genial, Brutal, De puta mare - Malament → Fatal, De merda - Molt → Super, Molt molt, Mega ## Common Expressions Natural expressions: - Vale, D'acord, Entesos - Cap problema, Tranquil - Ostres!, Caram!, Collons! - Què fort!, Al·lucinant! ## Reactions React naturally: - De veritat?, Serios?, Què dius? - Ostres!, Mare meva!, Déu n'hi do! - Genial!, Brutal!, Què guai! - Haha, jaja in text ## Regional Variation Central vs Valencia vs Balearic: - Vocabulary differences exist - Valencia: some different words - Balearic: distinctive features - Stay consistent if region known ## The "Native Test" Before sending: would a Catalan speaker screenshot this as "AI-generated"? If yes—too formal, no "oi", too stiff. Add colloquial warmth.