Basque language and culture - Course starting in Fall 2026
In this course, we will learn the basics of the Basque language while also gaining an overview of the Basque Country, its society, and its rich culture. Throughout the semester, students will learn how to introduce themselves in Basque, ask simple questions, follow short conversations, and produce brief descriptions of people and places. We will also explore some linguistic features of the Basque language in order to understand the structures and strategies of this millenary non-Indo-European language. The aim of the course is for students to acquire a foundational knowledge of Basque: to understand its essential linguistic features and to communicate with local speakers in simple everyday situations.
Moreover, Basque cultural topics will also be covered, giving students a broad overview of the Basque Country, its society, and its fascinating culture. Among other themes, we will examine the geography of the Basque Country (its regions, capital cities, and most well-known destinations), Basque classical and modern music, traditional Basque dances (Euskal Dantzak), Basque rural sports (Herri Kirolak), Basque gastronomy and a variety of local customs and traditions.