Basque language

History and classification

The ancestors of Basques are among the oldest inhabitants of Europe, and their origins are still unknown, as are the origins of their language itself. Many scholars have tried to link Basque to Etruscan, African languages, Caucasian languages and so on, but most scholars see Basque as a language isolate.

Related Topics:
Europe - Etruscan - African languages - Caucasian languages - Language isolate

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A connection with the Iberian language gave some hope, but it is unclear whether similarities are due to genetic relations or mere vicinity.

Related Topics:
Iberian language - Mere vicinity

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It was spoken long before the Romans brought Latin to the Iberian Peninsula, and the scarce Roman presence in the Basque area furthered the distinction.

Related Topics:
Roman - Iberian Peninsula

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Basque however acquired Latin vocabulary before the diversification of Romance languages.

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The Georgian connection

The Caucasian hypothesis is popular in Georgia as a link among Basques and Georgians; but there is little evidence for this sort of speculation. (See the double meaning of "Iberia").

Related Topics:
Georgia - Iberia

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One of the few practical consequences is that the former mayor of Bilbao José María Gorordo made the city and the Georgian capital Tbilisi twin cities, and Euskal Telebista (Basque Television) co-produced a version of Don Quixote with the Georgian Television.

Related Topics:
Bilbao - José María Gorordo - Tbilisi - Euskal Telebista - Don Quixote - Georgian Television

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