Northern Basque Literature in the 18th Century

Introduction: Northern Basque literature was not important enough to achieve the same level of development as in the 18th century, and there is no such thing as a Basque literary tradition in the strict sense. However, there were promising beginnings in the Northern Basque Country, but the French Revolution led to conflicts, wars and provincial divisions.

The French state reorganized the provinces, and the ideals of the Enlightenment, dominated by reason, science and technology, spread among intellectuals. Whether or not Northern Basque was able to sustain an extended literary tradition, the Basque language and religion remained the main themes of the written works of the period.

Joan Etxebarri

Sara: Joan Etxebarri studied with the Jesuits and later with the Oratorians, and his career as a teacher was promising. However, the arrival of the French Revolution changed his path, and he settled in Azkoitia, where he devoted himself to the defense of the Basque language and culture. He wrote several works about the Basque language:

1. Gomendizko blue cards or four cards: a published book that was already made to support the proposals presented to the Lapurdi assembly. Although this booklet was successful, the assembly did not accept the project, and he was unable to publish it again.
2. Euskararen astapnak: writing about the origins of the Basque language, which is passionate but has great strength.
3. Astapnak Basque learning Latin: a study of Latin in the period, using the knowledge of French and Latin grammar in the teaching of Basque.

Although Etxebarri lived only a short time and the only book he published was widely read, both in the 18th and 19th centuries, it is not a work of art. His dictionary of Basque, Latin, and French was used more than is generally known, and much of it seems to be lost.

Religious Prose

A great deal of work was produced in religious prose. Many of these works are not original but are translations or adaptations of other texts. In contrast, there is a large body of non-religious prose, including works by Joan Etxebarri, and the works of Pierre Lafitte and others, many published by the IRU.

Other Writings

There is a published Basque philosopher by the EIA, but it is not easily readable, and the language is clear. Many neologisms are used and included in the dictionary. The Baiona collection of notebooks, a small collection of about 30 or more, is preserved in the Bayonne museum. Some of the authors are known, but many are anonymous.

The period also produced a variety of other texts, including news reports, anecdotes, and discussions, which are found in these notebooks.