Euskera, politics, science and fable
We human beings look to science when we need to know our reality precisely in any field and tackle problems effectively. This has been the case in human history, and it should be today. But it is common that the application of science and the consequences resulting from it obscure and even marginalize the different powers, when their conventions go another way. In such cases, science humiliates us and, instead of its clear and precise consequences, prioritizes and imposes anti-scientific fabulations. That is what is happening to us. When applied science, that is, scientific sociolinguistics offers concrete affirmations, from different powers invent the so-called “political sociolinguistics” and offer us fables about the situation and future of the Basque Country.
Four years ago, the Department of Linguistic Policy of the Basque Government published the book "Euskararen Historia del Euskera", composed of works by several experts and, therefore, with the intention of placing it in the scientific sphere. But in the conclusion section, one of these experts wrote: “It can be said, as never before, that the future of language depends on the present generations: if they want, they will use it.” This statement is certainly scientifically false, in the confidence that the Government, despite its contribution, will mitigate and beautify the results of its Language Policy. Because scientific sociolinguistics has made it clear that the future of Euskera depends on complex and strong factors, but not only on Basque speakers. Although the Vasco-speakers want to use Euskera, we cannot use it in most cases, because now and here are determinant factors against its use that hinder the free use of Euskera.
Bilingualism is the ideology of oppressive linguistic nationalism, a simple trick to replace Euskera
But what is the situation in the Basque Country now and here? What does scientific sociolinguistics say? Analyzing the status and use of the Basque Country, the regulated status that is called bilingualism is a fable, and not the scientific expression, since the Spanish (both Spanish and French) and the Basque Country are not in a balanced situation, since both dominate the Basque country by law and by use. The only essential are Spanish in Basque Country and not Basque. Bilingualism is the ideology of oppressive linguistic nationalism, a simple trick to replace the Basque.
The worst thing is that, in the field of Basque politics itself, this ideology has been assimilated by so-called nationalist parties, which speak of “plurilingualism” and “cultural plurality”, embracing fabulation instead of scientific study. Meanwhile, this current autonomic linguistic policy, through this “bilingualism”, facilitates the transformation of the whole society into Spanish and feeds new generations who do not feel Euskaldunes. For the benefit of the Spanish and French systems, Spanish and French become “natural” languages among young people.
Science marks very different alternatives. We must reverse the social situation of the Basque Country in the situation we live in. In the Basque areas we must make Euskera the main language, doing what is necessary for it. To become the main Basque polysystem, we have to unlearn Spanish. If we want to put science in favour of the Basques, at least, we need a very different language policy.
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