Linguae Vasconum Primitiae: secrets of the first book written in Euskara

At the beginning of the 16th century, Europe was undergoing a period of great cultural, social and linguistic transformation. Gutenberg´s invention of the printing press as of 1440 revolutionised the spread of knowledge. During the Renaissance, the Romance languages started to gain prominence over Latin, which had been the traditional language of literature and religious texts. Basque, or Euskara, which until then had been limited to an oral tradition, was no stranger to this new reality. Efforts were made to reclaim its validity and prestige, aiming to elevate it to the same status as the other surrounding languages. In this context, ´Linguae Vasconum Primitiae´, the first book printed in Euskara and written by Bernat Etxepare, was published in Bordeaux in 1545. This event marked a turning point for Basque culture, which until then had mainly been transmitted orally. 

Linguae Vasconum Primitiae

The title ´Linguae Vasconum Primitiae´ can be translated from Latin as "First samples of the Basque language". Its prologue expresses the author´s full awareness that he was creating the first printed work in Basque, thereby affirming the Basque language´s worth and capacity to serve as a suitable language for literary expression, on equal footing with others.

Published in 1545, this book is a collection of fifteen poems. The first two poems have a religious theme, followed by ten poems centred on love, featuring verses, dialogues between lovers, and a defence of women. Poem number thirteen is autobiographical, recounting the author’s time in prison. In his final two poetic works, "Contrapas" and "Sautrela," Etxepare celebrates the Basque language, urging it to step out into the streets, into the public square, and into the world. His goal is to show both locals and outsiders that Basque is just as capable, rich, and beautiful as any other language.

The language used originates from the Donibane-Garazi area of the northern Basque Country. The metre consists of fifteen syllables divided into two parts. Etxepare wrote in the eastern Lower Navarrese dialect of Garazi, which, despite having an archaic vocabulary and syntax compared to ‘Euskara batua’ (today’s standardised Basque), but the morphology is already close to the current standard. However, the spelling reflects the influence of the Romance languages of the time, with spellings such as ´beçala´ for ´bezala´ (‘like’ or ‘similar to’) or ´heuscara´ for ´Euskara´.

Bernat Etxepare

´Linguae Vasconum Primitiae´ was written by Bernat Etxepare, a cleric and poet believed to have been born in Duzunaritze-Sarasketa, Lower Navarre. Little biographical information is known about Bernat Etxepare, apart from the fact that he was an archpriest, a man of learning, and a person of good reputation. He spent most of his life in Donibane-Garazi, even when the Kingdom of Navarre existed as an independent entity.

His work reflects a deep sensitivity towards Basque culture and language. Etxepare lived at a time when Euskara had no official recognition, and his work was an act of cultural assertion that sought to preserve and dignify the Basque language.

In addition to its literary value, Etxepare intended for Basque to be used to communicate lofty and universal ideas, and not just as a popular, everyday language. This made him a true pioneer of modern Basque literature.

Cultural and literary significance and historical relevance

´Linguae Vasconum Primitiae´ is considered a symbol of Basque identity. Before its publication, Euskara had remained an exclusively oral language with little written presence. Prior to publication, brief glosses (as far back as the 10th-11th centuries), fragmentary canticles, commentaries, isolated expressions and words inserted into texts in other languages had been documented.

It is also said that some authors of that period, especially Protestants, expressed their opposition to stories of a romantic nature and other libertine customs depicted by ecclesiastical figures. Faced with this situation, the Catholic Church took drastic measures that constituted a serious obstacle to the circulation of Etxepare´s book, and some believe that many copies of that first edition probably ended up in bonfires.

Opinions on the work have been mixed. Some critics have reduced its artistic value to a linguistic testimony, while others have highlighted its creative and poetic merit. Through ´Linguae Vasconum Primitiae´, Etxepare not only demonstrated that Basque could be used as a vehicle for poetry and high literature but also encouraged future generations to preserve their own language and culture.

Copies of the book

Currently, the only known copy of ´Linguae Vasconum Primitiae´ is kept at the Bibliothèque Nationale, France’s national library, in Paris. This facsimile reproduction has been the subject of numerous studies and is considered an invaluable treasure for Basque culture and the history of literature in Euskara.