Linguistic Rights - Practical Application of Linguistic Rights - Disputes Over Linguistic Rights - Basque, Spain

Basque, Spain

The linguistic situation for Basque is a precarious one. The Basque language is considered to be a low language in Spain, where, until about 1982, the Basque Language was not used in administration. In 1978, a law was passed allowing for Basque to be used in administration side by side with Spanish in the Basque Autonomous Communities.

Between 1935 and 1975, the period of Franco’s régime, the use of Basque was strictly prohibited, and thus language decline begun to occur as well. However, following the death of Franco, many Basque nationalists demanded that the Basque language be recognized. One of these groups was the Euskadi Ta Askatasun (ETA). The ETA had initially begun as a nonviolent group to promote Basque language and culture. However, when its demands were not met, it turned violent and evolved into terrorist groups. Today, the ETA’s demands for a separate state stem partially from the problem of perceived linguistic discrimination.