Kaixo! Hey, Basque language learner!

Are you ready to take on the challenge and dive into the beautiful world of the Basque language?

As someone who has personally experienced the frustration back in the 90s of not having resources or tools to learn Basque, I understand the importance of mastering the Basque language through 3 key building blocks: vocabulary, grammar and community.

In this article, I want to share with you my journey of learning Basque from scratch and how mastering these three pillars has not only connected me to my heritage, but also enriched my life in ways I never thought possible.

The first pillar of the Basque language is vocabulary

As a child, I was exposed to Basque by my parents.  But since my ama/mom didn't know a lot of Basque my first language was Spanish.  I would hear my aita/dad talk to friends and family in Basque. So I wondered why couldn't I speak the language.  He explained to me how living in the U.S. it was important to know English but also the Spanish I was learning at home.  

But I wanted to know that special language my aita/dad knew, Basque/Euskara.

When the Internet came out, besides research for college, my searches were about my heritage and my language.  I wanted to start to learn Basque.  Yet, I struggled to find resources designed for English speakers like me.  Even though I knew Spanish, I was looking for the connection to the Diaspora.  The first treasure trove of information I would come across was Blas Uberuaga's website.  He had put together a comprehensive website about all things Basque, and it still is going strong today.  
I also looked for additional resources, but there weren't any tailored to the unique grammar and vocabulary of Basque until much later.

It was frustrating and often left me feeling disconnected from the language I was so eager to embrace.

But I didn’t let these challenges stop me.  And I didn't forget my goal to learn Basque.

I finally found a long-distance course provided at that time by the Basque Studies Program at the University of Nevada, Reno.   The course was specifically created for English speakers learning Basque. This course was my first step in learning Basque.

Later in 2007, I would move to Boise, Idaho and start taking a Basque class at the Boise Basque Museum in 2011.  It helped me build a strong foundation in the Basque vocabulary.


By immersing myself in resources designed for learners like me, I was able to overcome the barriers were holding me back and make meaningful progress in expanding my Basque vocabulary.

The second pillar of the Basque language is grammar

The unique structure and grammar rules of Basque can be intimidating for beginners, especially when trying to navigate through materials that are not designed with English speakers in mind.

And even though I had been teaching Spanish for over 8 years when I started learning Basque, I found Basque grammar books difficult for a regular learner who doesn't even remember how to distinguish between present indicative and present progressive.  These books would talk about transitive vs intransitive verbs.  And as a grammar nerd I loved it, but also knew the majority of learners would not understand nor enjoy the presentation of grammar in that manner.

I was fortunate to understand Basque grammar in the way it was explained but it wasn't always easy especially as I would go between English, Basque and Spanish.  The final step I sought out was full immersion.  As a teacher, I had summers off if I wanted and I could go to the Basque Country to take more courses.  

My full immersion journey began in the summer of 2011. I went for 2 months and then returned every summer until 2014 for a total of 6 months of immersion over those summers.

Meanwhile, I continued to look for grammar books tailored to English speakers learning Basque. With these resources along with the Spanish resources I had, I would be able to break down the complexities of Basque grammar and gain a deeper understanding of how to form sentences and express myself in the language. 

It took time and an open-mind to understand the unique differences in the Basque language.  There are many differences but the same holds true for someone learning English compared to their native language.  Once you accept the differences you can begin to master the grammar of the Basque language which will help you feel more confident in your ability to communicate and connect with the Basque community.  

The third pillar of the Basque language is cultural immersion

While learning vocabulary and grammar are important, truly mastering the Basque language requires immersing yourself in the culture and community.

Living with 2 Basque immigrants parents, helped. The cultural immersion was my home life.  And I would also look for more opportunities to engage with native Basque speakers, participate in cultural events, and even travel to the Basque Country to fully immerse myself in the language and culture.

By surrounding myself with native speakers and embracing the traditions and customs of the Basque people, I was able to deepen my connection to the language and gain valuable insights into the nuances of Basque communication. I would do a lot of listening and watching when I would travel as a young girl to visit my family in the Basque Country.

Yearly, my family would attend Basque events around Washington and then we would also go to every Jaialdi with other Basques from Washington State.

In 2007, I'd Immerse myself in the Basque culture by moving to Boise, Idaho. I'd play mus every Sunday, play Basque pelota and listen and learn Basque words specific to the Bizkaian dialect or the Bizkaian euskalki, Bizkaieraz.

This move would not only improve my listening skills, but also allowed me to forge meaningful connections with the Basque community.  Then after 2011 and starting to learn Basque, those connections would become different and even more meaningful by connecting to family and friends in their first language and my heritage language.

By mastering the three pillars of the Basque language – vocabulary, grammar, and cultural immersion – I was able to overcome the challenges of learning a language first completely on my own to a full immersive experience.  Learning Basque was the key to finally feeling connected to my heritage and community in a profound way.

So, if you’re ready to embark on your own journey of learning Basque, I encourage you to seek out resources specifically created for English speakers, immerse yourself in the Basque culture, and never give up on your goal of mastering the beautiful Basque language.

Trust me, the rewards of connection and cultural enrichment are well worth the effort. So, let’s dive in and master the three pillars of the Basque language together! Zorte on! (Good luck!)