Inmigración

Basque Language

Basque and Spanish are the official languages of the Basque Country. Basque is the oldest living language in Europe. In Durango, 45% of its inhabitants speak Basque and 20% have some knowledge of the language.

Durango Town Council has a Basque Language Department that offers the following opportunities:

  • Information on euskera and its learning in the municipality.
  • Grants for studying the language, grants for sign-writing for shops and business in Basque.
  • Initiatives to support and disseminate the Basque culture and language.
  • Programmes to encourage the widespread use of Basque and in public places.
Where?

Town Hall Basque Language Service

Durango Town Council encourages and supports the study and use of the Basque Language. Foreigners may learn Basque by the the mainstream educational system, but there are also special courses to start people off.

AISA courses

The courses organised by AISA are aimed at people over 16 years of age who are resident in the Basque Country and who have had no contact with the Basque language. The course aims to teach foreigners about Basque society and to encourage them to take their first steps in the learning of the language.

These courses deal with areas such as greetings, numbers, the family, school, transport, health, sport, shopping. The exercises are mainly based on the relevant vocabulary and basic understanding of the language (street signs, posters…).

These courses are financed by the Basque Government through the Department of Family Policy and Community Development and by HABE a body under the auspices of the Department of Culture.

Further information
Other resources for learning Basque