But they wanted to pass a law that made that a requirement, which was struck down by the court. Is it now a legal requirement for you to start in Catalan? Will you get in trouble if you don't?
As for populist arguments, the ones you used about how things will get better, it's too early to talk so wait and see, of course at the start it will be harder. Those kind of arguments. It puts logic and facts aside by ignoring the actual impact of these large decisions and telling people that in the end it will be better, but providing no actual proof for that.
A good example is the EU talk. Before the referendum there was all this talk about how Catalonia could stay part of the EU and they didn't need Spain, they had the EU. Well, now the EU isn't on their side and suddenly you don't need them anymore? That is pure populist talk and ignoring facts.
Do unionists have their share of populist arguments also? I guess. I haven't seen many, since most just point at how leaving will be bad for Catalonia. At least on this forum.
The are laws that the Spanish government bypasses too. It happens on both sides. It is not good of course.
And no, it is just a recommendation. Like in schools, or mossos, or health where i work, and in general, people talk the language that are comfortable with.
That said, if someone changes language to accommodate the interlocutor, most of the time it's catalan to Spanish, not the other way.
As for populist arguments. Countries becoming independent, being threatened with doom and gloom once they split has been a thing forever. And most of them are just fine, some better some worse. And that is how i see it. Same goes for uk. Most of them survive, if not all.
I also think there's a transition period were things are difficult, as with every separation, unless friendly, which almost never happens.
If that is populism, well what can i do.
And it is very telling that the only argument that seems to come from Spain to convince Catalonia to stay is hey, it is cold out there, instead of offering us to reasons to stay together. In fact they threaten in us by saying we indoctrinate, that will control or schools and nice things like that.