World Café : Indigenous Languages.

Ekialdea BHI
December 3rd was a very special day
at school. The International Day of
Basque Language was celebrated in
both buildings as shown in El Correo
and Noticias de Alava.

All the activities organised by teachers

and students made us aware of the fact
that we treasure an indigenous
language we must preserve and
enjoy!!!

1st Batxi students did some written

research on the origin of this official
celebration, wrote a report of our day at
school and shared their views.
The next step was a
World Café on
Indigenous Languages
and 1st Batxi students
were eager to take part in
this Elos activity. In
English, why not?
1st table: General aspects
 ● Do you know what indigenous languages are?
● Can you name any indigenous languages?
● Do you know which institution is behind The International Year of Indigenous Languages?
● Why did they decide to declare 2019 IYIL?

“An indigenous language or autochthonous language is a language that is

native to a region and spoken by indigenous people, often reduced to the status
of a minority language. This language would be from a linguistically distinct
community that has been settled in the area for many generations.”

We tend to believe that indigenous languages are just Quetchua, Inca, Maori,
Tagalo, Celtic and other exotic languages but we also speak an indigenous
language, Basque, and live close to some others like Catalan, Galician or Frisian.

The United Nations.

These languages are in danger of extinction. They shouldn´t die.

“To raise global attention on the critical risks confronting indigenous languages
and its significance for sustainable development, reconciliation, good governance
and and peace building.”
2nd table:Indigenous
Languages in your Life
 ● Do you speak any indigenous languages outside school? If so, When? Where? Why? With whom?
● What type of activities related to indigenous languages are organized in your school? And in your neighbourhood or
city?
● Are these activities connected to the preservation of the indigenous language? To the preservation of other
cultural aspects linked to the indigenous language?

All our students make an effort to speak Basque with their friends and family if
possible.Other mother tongues are Spanish, of course, and Portuguese for a
student whose family comes from Brazil. One of our students speaks three
different indigenous languages from Ivory Coast.

Basque Day, Basque cultural weeks, bertsolaritza, Korrika, curricular activities and
workshops in Basque, traditional dances, Normalkuntza Proiektua…

Yes, of course. They are closely connected with our language and culture
( Olentzero, music, betsoak, literature, myths and legends…)
3rd table: Indigenous Languages
and Politics
● Are the indigenous languages that you speak national languages too?
● Do you know of any political measures taken in your country in order to preserve its indigenous languages? Why do
you think this happens?
● Do you know of any political measures taken in your country to make its indigenous languages disappear? Why do
you think this happens?

Yes, most students agree that Basque is a national language.

There are a number of decisions and measures in order to protect Basque as a minority language and
to encourage people to use it in all aspects of their life (work, education, social life, shopping,
interaction with doctors and other public facilities…)
Basque Television and radio stations, films, media, websites.
Government campaigns and financial support in favour of Basque culture
Euskaltzaindia and Etxepare
The power of education to raise awareness and provide qualifications

Ultra conservative parties fight against indigenous languages and cultural diversity. In Franco´s
Dictatorship Basque and other minority languages were on the verge of dying out.
4th table: Take the Helm !
 ● Think of the different indigenous languages spoken in your country. Do you think everybody should have some
knowledge of them?
● If so, what would your proposals be?

Yes, why not ?. It should be easier to learn them at the Schools of Languages as
they are also official languages.

Organise activities to spread them.

5th table: Our Future
 ● What plans do you have for the future? Would you like to study / live abroad? What will happen to the indigenous
languages you normally speak here?
● If you decide to start a family, what language or languages will you speak? Why?
● Based on your previous answers, what do you think will happen with indigenous languages in 25 years’ time?

Most students think they will study and work abroad for a period of time, at least.
Languages are essential for communication (English in particular) but also to keep
their own cultural identity (Basque and other mother tongues)

They are ready to bring up a Basque speaking family. Speaking other languages is
seen as a must for our current society.

Positive view. Minority languages should be protected and more widely spread.
We should feel responsible for it.
Audio with a couple of main ideas in this World Café. Time will tell but it seems that we
are all very conscious of our role as speakers of a minority language and citizens of the
world.