Basque language

Geographic distribution

The region in which Basque is spoken is smaller than what is known as the Basque Country, or Euskal Herria in Basque.

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Basque toponyms show that Basque was spoken further along the Pyrenees than today.

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For example, the name of the Aran Valley (now a Gascon-speaking part of Catalonia) suggests Basque haran, meaning "valley". However, the growing influence of Latin began to drive Basque out from less mountainous areas of this region.

Related Topics:
Aran Valley - Catalonia - Latin

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The Reconquista temporarily counteracted this tendency, when the Christian lords called on northern peoples — Basques, Asturians and Franks — to colonize the new conquests. Later the Basque language came to be used mainly by peasants, while people in the cities preferred {{ll|Castilian}}, {{ll|Gascon}}, Navarrese Romance, {{ll|French}} or {{ll|Latin}} for high education.

Related Topics:
Reconquista - Asturia - Frank

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Basque experienced a rapid decline in Navarre during the 19th century. However, after Basque nationalism took the language as an identity sign, and with the establishment of autonomous governments, it has made a comeback. Basque-language schools have taken the language to areas like Encartaciones or the Navarrese Ribera where it may have never been natively spoken in historic times.

Related Topics:
Basque nationalism - Encartaciones - Navarrese Ribera

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