In a rare instance, NABO sent a formal letter on the International Day of Euskara (Dec. 3, 2007) to the editor of the Wall Street Journal regarding their Nov. 6th front page article by Keith Johnson. Despite efforts such as this article--intentional or not--to denigrate, NABO re-affirms its commitment to maintain the Basque language and culture.  Esnatu gaitu: this woke us up!

Every negative is a positive, and vice-a-versa.  Keith Johnson's recent article "Basque Inquisition: How do you say shepherd in Basque?" in the Wall Street Journal is just such an example.  It was not news that Basques are not perfect, or that not all are Basque fans, but we sometimes forget how much some people want us to disappear.  Esnatu gaitu: "this woke us up!"  Historically the effort to make Basque people go way has been approached in two ways.  The easiest to make out is the use of force to get rid of Basquesness (e.g., the point of Max Weinreich's statement above).  The other route, is oftentimes more subtle but nonetheless effective.  This approach includes arguments of persuasion to convince Basques to set aside their ethnic heritage (e.g., the omnipresent Spanish phrase "Hablame en cristiano" or literally "Speak Christian" which meant that Euskara or the Basque language was uncouth and that one must dispose of this un-civilized language).  It is a pity that Keith Johnson and the Wall Street Journal have--intentionally or not--joined this chorus.

Our NABO federation of 38 Basque clubs throughout North America was founded nearly four decades ago with the primary mission to perpetuate Basque culture and identity. At our last meeting, various delegates rose to address Johnson's article to communicate their astonishment at not only the amount of misinformation and errors littered throughout the article, but also at the tone of the article which made a mockery of the Basque language.  To have said nothing was still to have said something, so the decision was made by delegates to respond in a formal way.  This is based on a response developed by a volunteer committee and a letter signed by NABO President Mary Gaztambide that was sent to the editor of the Wall Street Journal.  The letter was posted on December 3, the International Day of the Basque Language, to re-iterate NABO's ongoing commitment to maintaining our language and traditions.

There is no doubt that tension exists between those with pro-Basque aspirations and the majority of Spaniards who are not very sympathetic to this cause.  Thus it was not difficult for the author to get his select quotes from the latter group.  News pieces and editorials should be different things.  Keith Johnson makes it clear that there are some who want to compel Euskara--so what's their story? See the original article, as well as some select responses at WSJ Article & Reactions

Mr. Johnson’s opening point is that the extreme Basque separatists, who support an armed struggle for independence, are in control of the educational system in the Basque Autonomous Community and of the linguistic policies in public institutions. Words have a power, and some have a greater impact than others.  The article is not subtle, marked as it is with strong and inflammatory language such as “Inquisition”, “Fiat”, “front line” & “wielding grammar instead of guns.”

The suggested equivalence is preposterous. The Statute of Autonomy of the Basque Country states that the Basque language is recognized as an official language of the Basque Autonomous Community (Euskadi) and that its citizens have the right to use it. The Basque Government is responsible for the educational system and the policies of the use of the Basque language in public institutions and this reflects the views and desires of their constituents who elected them and not of “Basque separatists.”

Mr. Johnson then goes on to mock the Basque language by quoting the line that it is “an ancient language little suited to contemporary life.”  Wanting to underline this sentiment, he then went on to substantiate this assertion by giving examples of words that have no roots in the Basque language such as “democracy” and “government” but that there are as many as ten words in Basque for the word “shepherd.” Besides the fact that this information, as is virtually all information contained in this article, is incorrect (the Basque word for government is jaurlaritza and there is only one word in Basque for shepherd – artzaina)  Mr. Johnson’s choice of words clearly shows his intent to belittle Euskara--and its speakers--as outmoded. On the contrary, the fact is that the Basque language is used in all levels of society including higher education, technology development & government. (See Letter from 180 speakers of a "modern" language)

The Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659 settled a ten year war with France emerging victorious over Spain; it stipulated that all villages north of the Pyrenees would now be considered French, and the border between these two nations was set at the Pyrenees. Basques were not consulted on this matter. In fact, the survival of the Basque language and culture until the present is quite extraordinary. Click on Xabier Irujo:  Origins of Euskararen Eguna to read about one such effort to respond to these outside pressures.

An editorial piece of this kind is understandable (i.e., of course all have the right to express their opinion--but that doesn't mean that every opinion is right). This article, though, comes across as more of a propaganda piece disguised as journalism—on the front page no less. Nevertheless, those who wish to live as Basques have long been accustomed to this type of treatment.  For centuries--not just in recent history--Basques were told that they could not (France and Spain passing legislation to prohibit Basque) and should not (being told Euskara is outdated, un-civilized) speak Euskara or identify as Basque. But to have a leading publication like the Wall Street Journal join this negative chorus is really a shame.  Returning to the quote above which implies imposition, to armies and navies we now have to add "news" story such as this.  ESNATU GAITU: Thanks for the wake-up call!

See the original article & some select reactions at: "Basque Inquisition: How do you say shepherd in Basque? Esnatu zara?  Did this article "wake you up?"  To see what pro-active things NABO is doing, and what role you can play to keep things going click on: ZATOZ: The Call of our Generation