Basque Language

Basque and Spanish are the official languages of the Basque Country. Basque is the oldest living language in Europe. In Ermua, 29% of its inhabitants is a Basque speaker and 23% has some knowledge of this language.

Ermua Town Council has a Department of Basque that offers among other things:

• 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?

Municipal Area for the Basque Language

Ermua 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's Immigration Department and by HABE in the Department of Culture.

Further information

• Activities in Ermua in Basque
• Municipal Department of Basque - 943179147
• Euskaltegi Municipal
• Kaltxango AEK Euskaltegia

Other resources for learning Basque

• AISA
• BOGA