“Learning Batua Basque is useless!”

I’m here to tell you that as an American Basque and a Basque Learner this statement is completely false!

I understand you completely if you say this, especially if you have family who emigrated during the Franco Era. This myth that Batua, Standardized Basque, is useless exists because family members were more than likely not educated in Basque at school and were not exposed to Batua before leaving the Basque Country. 

To continue saying this or believing it, only hurts the growth of Basque speakers.

The unification of the language was necessary.

Before the 1960s, the language had not been used in schools or administration.

In fact, it was an idea that’d been around since the 1800s when several books were published in Basque using Basque of the region of the writers.  

Then with the Basque language taking a hit during the dictatorship from 1939 to 1975, the Basque community saw the need to start teaching the language in schools from day 1; teaching Basques not only to speak but to read and write in the language, and to come together to save the language.

So, you should stop hating on Standardized Basque, and support all forms of the Basque language worldwide instead.

Celebrate that the Basque language is still alive and doing well and that Basques, like my own family, didn't give up after they were told not to use the language. 

Unification of a language doesn't mean we use the same words and pronunciation. What is spoken to this day will still be different depending on where you go.  That's the beauty of any language…the unique difference in how it's spoken and variations in words.

And when you stop to celebrate that the Basque language is unified, you'll see how fortunate you are that you can learn the language from anywhere around the world because Basque is now accessible to all.

Because of Batua (standardized Basque), I was able to check off a childhood goal to learn Basque and then have the honor to help others around the world to learn Basque.

And now that you're celebrating the Basque language with me, here are some tips for you to help further support the language.  

Tip #1: Share this article. If you know someone, who’s said Batua is useless then help me debunk the myth.

Tip #2: Learn Basque. Many in the Diaspora say they’re Basque but being Basque by definition means speaking the language.  Start learning it today to truly embrace your identity. 

Tip #3: Add the Basque language to your day. To do this, tune in to Basque tv shows online, radio stations, or Basque podcasts. 

Working together as they did in the 1960s to unify the language, you and I can work to ensure the survival of this ancient and mysterious language known as Euskara.