[Facts] Re: Moltes graciès! (m)
in reply to a message by Caprice
No (but most Catalans also know Spanish, that's right).
The reason is that the reduction of AU>O (or UA>O) is seen as very dialectal / low educated pronunciation and the use of Laura in Catalan is very modern (since '60). This kind of opposition popular form vs. cultured form, where cultured form is prefered by speakers, is not unusual (in words or in names).
Lumia
http://onomastica.mailcatala.com
The reason is that the reduction of AU>O (or UA>O) is seen as very dialectal / low educated pronunciation and the use of Laura in Catalan is very modern (since '60). This kind of opposition popular form vs. cultured form, where cultured form is prefered by speakers, is not unusual (in words or in names).
Lumia
http://onomastica.mailcatala.com