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The Basque language of the Western Pyrenees region in Europe has long been considered a linguistic mystery. This carefully-paced guide to learning Basque includes 12 lessons with dialogues, vocabulary and exercises, as well as an answer key, glossaries. Accompanying MP3 audio files featuring native speakers are available for free download.
About the author
Wim Jansen is Professor Emeritus of linguistics at the University of Amsterdam. He is the author of several Basque-related books and articles, including the first Basque-Dutch dictionary. He is a co-author of Basque-English/ English-Basque Dictionary & Phrasebook, published by Hippocrene Books.
Summary
Basque is a language spoken in Europe’s Basque country or Pays Basque, a region in the western Pyrenees that includes parts of northern Spain and southwestern France. Basque is considered to be a language isolate, or one that has no genealogical relationship with other languages. There are over 700,000 native speakers in Basque country and nearly 2 million non-native or “passive” speakers worldwide. Because it is unrelated to other languages and has a complex grammar system, it has been deemed the hardest language in the world to learn. Scholars, polyglots and anyone interested in studying a linguistic mystery have enthusiastically taken on the challenge of learning Basque.
Ideal for those new to Basque, learning at home or in the classroom, Beginner’s Basque with Online Audio includes:
- A brief introduction to Basque history and culture
- 12 carefully-paced and practical lessons with dialogues, vocabulary, and expressions
- Exercises for each lesson with answer key
- Basque-English and English-Basque glossaries
- An alphabet and pronunciation guide
- Online MP3 audio files for free download featuring pronunciation by native speakers
