European parliament working paper

Basque

Introduction

In Spain, Basque (Euskara) is spoken in the Basque Autonomous Community (CAV; pop. 1/1/2000: 2,098,596)) and in Navarre (pop. 1/1/2001: 543,757). The CAV has 3 provinces: Araba, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa. Economic development and the sociolinguistic situation have been affected by frequent migrations. The 1960s and 70s saw an industrial boom and rapid population growth in Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia. First- and second-generation Basques account for 55% of the population in Bizkaia (which concentrates heavy industry) and in Araba, where Vitoria (or Gasteiz), the capital, is situated. In Gipuzkoa the proportion is lower: 40%. The population of the CAV is largely urban. Half the population lives in just seven cities. 4% of the inhabitants of the CAV live where 80% or more of the population is Basque-speakers, and fully 56% where fewer than 20% speak Basque. The rest live in linguistically mixed areas. 31% of people aged 5 or more in the CAV are fluent in Basque and a further 16% are passive bilinguals. 50% of Gipuzkoa’s inhabitants are fluent in Basque, 24% of Bizkaia’s, and under 16% of Araba’s. Fluent Basque-speakers concentrate in the younger and older age groups. From 1991 to 1996 those fluent in Basque increased in the 5-24 age-bracket, where they outnumber monolingual Spanish-speakers. In the 5-14 age group, fully 50% are now fluent.

The use of the language in various fields

Education: In pre-school and compulsory education in the CAV, enrolment in model D (Basque as medium of instruction and Spanish as a subject) has risen from 12% (1985) to 33½%, and those in model B (where Basque and Spanish are used equally as media of instruction) have risen from 8½% to 18%. Model A (where Basque is only taught as a subject) has fallen from 79% to 48½%. Almost 20% of university students follow courses taught through Basque. Every year, over 45,000 adults take Basque courses at 160 centres.
The revival of Basque in Navarre relies heavily on the school system, which also has 3 models¹⁵⁴. In model D, primary pupils are taught through Basque in one subject in the initial cycle and two in the superior cycle. In 1988 this model accounted for c. 14% of pupils; 10 years later, it-attracted c. 26%. In model A, Basque is just taught as a subject, at all levels and cycles. This model rose over the same period from c. 6% to c. 22%. Finally, in model G, all education is in Spanish; Basque is not even taught. While 80% were enrolled in this model in 1988, over half still followed it ten years later.
Nearly all courses at the Public University of Navarre (founded 1987) are in Spanish, though education in Basque is to be offered if requested by 18 student. Almost 20% of students would like to be lectured in Basque. Two specialised courses in the Faculty of Education are taught through Basque, and other faculties offer some subjects in Basque. A regional Plan aims to increase this figure. In 1963 a Basque Department was set up at the University of Navarre, and in 1996, 43 students were enrolled on a Basque Studies degree (founded 1994).
The courts: The CAV Law of 1982 on the Standardisation of the Use of Basque states that citizens may choose the official language in dealings with the courts, but the use of Basque is still rare, occurring only occasionally when particular witnesses are heard.

Most court officials know no Basque and some refuse to accept the translation of proceedings, adducing unacceptable delays. Basque has not improved significantly in this field in the last decade.

Public Authorities and services: In the CAV the government has an active policy to ensure services are provided in both official languages. A Navarre government decree (December 2000) redistributes the official use of languages in the so-called mixed area: the implementation plan is seen as a violation of Basque-speakers’ rights, for Spanish will once more be the main and, in some cases, the only language used in official communications, signage, etc. Some political and cultural groups have complained vociferously.
Mass media and information technology: Two bilingual newspapers appeared in 1986: Deia, which by 1993 had a circulation of 106,000, and Egin, which on its closure had a circulation of 103,000 (though Basque accounted for under 25% of the paper’s total content). Spanish-language newspapers in the CAV regularly have supplements in Basque. The appearance (1990) of Euskaldunon Egunkaria, an entirely Basque newspaper sold wherever Basque is spoken (average sales 2000, 14,205), was an important development. Three magazines are entirely in Basque: Argia, a weekly general-interest magazine (circulation 10,000), Jakin, a fortnightly cultural magazine (circulation 3,500), and Aizu, a monthly publication on the teaching of Basque (circulation 400). The local Basque-language press (around 30 literary, religious, scientific and other magazines, funded by advertising and by grants from public bodies in the Basque Country, and distributed free) have about 250,000 readers.
The most important impact of Basque in the media is undoubtedly Euskal Telebista (ETB), whose Channel 1 broadcasts solely in Basque and has an audience of 207,000 (11% of the market). It has a digital satellite channel. The State television networks TVE, and the private channels, scarcely ever use Basque. Euskadi Irratia, the public radio station, broadcasts solely in Basque to an average of 84,000 listeners all over the CAV. Two private radio stations also broadcast exclusively in Basque. Most other radio stations only broadcast in Spanish, though the creation of numerous local radio stations has considerably increased the presence of Basque in recent years. Finally, there are many Internet websites in Basque, and plenty of software development. The Basque government financed a Basque version of Microsoft Office.
The Arts: 1,092 books were published in Basque in 2000 (up from 966 in 1991). The use of Basque in traditional and modern music has grown considerably in recent years. The same applies to the stage, many comedy companies performing entirely in Basque and many others bilingually. Some bilingual and fully Basque films have been made recently. The copy dubbed in Basque of all films supported by the Basque government is usually shown on ETB. Video production with a Basque soundtrack, to sell to the general public, is also supported. Basque has a high profile in festivals and other cultural events, thanks to the efforts of many associations, regional and local council support, and generally aiming to promote of the knowledge and use of Basque.
The Basque Government actively promotes Basque culture through various bodies, which employ various support mechanisms: grants for developing cultural activities, specialised trade fairs, prizes for new Basque literature, and subsidies for cinema, theatre productions, music, etc. It funds the research projects of the official Translation and Terminology Service (Basque Institute of Public Administration) and the UZEI Institute, which manages several programmes run by the Academy of the Basque Language (Euskaltzaindia) and has created a terminological database, Euskalterm, in Basque, Spanish, French and English.
The business world: Apart from the civil service, Basque proficiency is an essential job requirement only for some posts involving contact with the public, mainly in the service sector; it is, however, an asset in selection processes for a large number of jobs. Following many campaigns for more vigorous promotion of the use of Basque in business, the Basque Government set up pilot intervention schemes in the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors and has signed agreements with local authorities and industrial and commercial firms to extend the use of Basque in their internal and external activities.
Family and social use of the language: Surveys on language competence show how important family transmission of Basque is, if the language is to be learnt and used correctly; other learners of Basque find it hard to attain equal fluency with Spanish or French. Basque is clearly used more now than 10-15 years ago in public domains. Yet the improvement in Basque proficiency has not been transferred into language use as much as might be expected. Over half the bilingual population speaks mainly Basque at home and in the following situations: at the market, with the local priest, with their children's teachers. However, under half the Basque-speakers use Basque in other situations: in the town hall, when going out for a drink with friends, at the bank, with local shopkeepers and with workmates. Most speak Spanish or French with health service personnel and with their supervisors. In short, the use of Basque drops as a function of formality.
Grass-roots NGOs actively promote Basque. Recently Kontseilua, an umbrella organisation representing 50 Basque organisations, which claim it has 125,000 members, was founded.
Transfrontier co-operation: There is frequent co-operation at all levels, involving the Basque government, cultural associations, academic institutions, etc. The EU has co-funded a number of successful exchanges involving Basque-speaking students from both sides of the border.

References

Euromosaic website: http://www.uoc.es/euromosaic/.

http://www.euskadi.net/euskara/indicei_i.htm

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